E 
NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 49 
NOTES ON THE DUCKS FOUND ON THE CoasT OF MASSACHUSETTS IN 
ee cogn — [A sporting friend in Salem sends the following interesting 
on our winter ducks, inb; though differing somewhat from the 
d opinions of some writers, accord in the main with notes in pre- 
vious lists of the birds of Massachusetts. While adding to our ornitho- 
of our ducks in winter, they are also important as confirmator 
main of what has been previously written]: On looking over the “ List 
of New leis ipee " I find some statements that are not in accord- 
ance with m experience as a sportsman. 
Mallard ordei "deest Linn.). ** Winter resident; not abundant.” This 
is not a diving duck, but feeds the same as our tame ducks, and is usually 
found in fresh waters. I have never seen it here in winter. Perhaps a 
bird wounded in the fall may stay over, but I never saw any in winter. 
They are not plenty even on the Chesapeake waters after the last of 
November, but go still farther south. A few may be shot on the Jersey 
marshes in winter. 
Pintail Duck (Dajila acuta Jenyns). ‘Chiefly along the coast. Win- 
ter resident; not abundant.” I have never found one of these ducks 
here in winter. This is also not a duck that dives for its food ( tas vase 
cannot feed in deep water). It is usually a very timid duck, and con- 
stantly on the watch. On the Delaware, in spring, considerable oss 
are shot. By some it is called Spring-tail. 
Scaup Duck ( Fuliz marila Baird). ** Winter resident," I never saw one 
of these here in winter. Some are found at that season in Long Island 
Sound and on the south side of Long Island. A few also winter on the 
south side of Cape Cod. 
Red Head (Aythya — Bon.). ** Winter resident." None to 
my knowledge winter here. They are a strong diver, and can get their 
food even in ipei. if they will eat the same kind of food that our Coot 
and Old Squaw.live i 
Canvasback iy tc witdnele Bon.). ‘Chiefly winter resident; not 
abundant." Very seldom if ever seen in our waters. A very few have 
been shot. A few may be found in the waters near New York 
Golden Eye yt AK Americana Baird). **Common winger: resident.” 
Winters from Florida to Maine. There are always large numbers to 
seen any calm day in gun from our lower gunning house on Rowley 
el Head (Bucephala albeola Baird). ** Abundant winter resident." 
Stay late in fall and come early in spring; but few, if any, winter here. 
Black D 
time when the weather is favorable, from September to April But in 
early spring the more southern ducks of this species come north and stop 
alittle time here. They are considerably larger than those that winter 
in our bays. The ducks of this species usually spend the day at sea and 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IV. T 
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