NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 377 
€— of this species in that region, and noted the fact as remarkable at 
"4 spen among the notes in regard to the Massachusetts ducks, the 
statement that the mallard pintail and black duck do not Give for their 
; : i 
two occasions. This species was not found on the sea-coasts of that 
region. 
The pintail is very common on both coast and river, and I have seen 
them dive apparently for food, hundreds of times. Indeed, they are ex- 
tremely exhert at it, and are only excelled by the true sea ducks, such as 
the old squaw. The same is true of the mallard, which is more common 
on the deeper lagoons and on the coasts, than on the shallows by the 
river, according to my observations. It is, however, not ig erate that 
their habits may vary somewhat in differen localities. — W. H. DAL 
THE MARSH HARRIER. — About all our meadows and wherever mice are 
numerous this beautiful species is very abundant. During the past and 
present month we have seen, we believe, at least a hundred of tiak all 
Jemales. Where are the pale blue gray male birds? We have yet to see 
the first specimen this year. We have never seen en in as many 
ear s this absence of male harriers as noticeable elsewhe 
others called attention to it? This species, Circus Hudsonius, nidificates 
this state, yet even in the neighborhoods of the ; 
unable to find the male bird. We have noticed this hawk lately engaged 
aquaticus), and once saw the bird overtake and kill the beast, but it would 
or did not devour it. Will any hawk eat so offensively — an animal 
as this Scalops is? — CHARLES C. ABBOTT, M.D. 
ERONS. — tria the past four months a yard within city lim- 
e 
paratively warm, and the Véseluiiua about them green. In this pond the 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IV. 48 
