74. DUSKY DUCK. 
migratory. Numbers of them remain during the summer, and 
breed in sequestered places in the marsh, or on the sea islands 
household comfort. Many species are also domesticated, and in a way 
less precarious lend their aid to the wants and luxuries of their owners. 
In the northern parts of America, this extensive family is most boun- 
tifully supplied, and her sealike lakes and majestic rivers are suitable 
nurseries for the innumerable multitudes that annually resort to, and 
reassemble to perform the duties of incubation. In the warmer parts, 
many remain at all seasons ; but it is in what is called Arctic America 
and the Fur Countries that the prodigious concourse annually arrive, and 
are so much hunted, both for food and a profitable emolument. Several 
of the spring months have received appellations from the birds which 
are most plentiful during them. The expected visitants arrive with 
remarkable precision, nearly at the same period of the month. They 
extend over a large space in breadth, and continue flying, without 
intermission, for many days. The native tribes are prepared by 
experience and the signals of their watches for their appearance ; and 
the first bird, for there are generally a scattered few before, gives notice 
that the havoc should commence. 
“They are,” says Dr Richardson, ‘“ of great importance in the Fur 
Countries, as they furnish, at certain seasons in the year, in many 
extensive districts, almost the only article of food that can be procured. 
The arrival of the waterfowl marks the commencement of spring, and 
diffuses as much joy among the wandering hunters of the arctic regions 
as the harvest or vintage excites in more genial climes. The period of 
their migration southwards again, in large flocks, at the close of summer, 
is another season of plenty, bountifully granted to the natives, and 
fitting them for encountering the rigours and privations of a northern 
winter.” 
To the species of Anatidcee which were known to Wilson as inhabi- 
tants of Northern America, with which his eighth volume has been 
almost wholly occupied, the researches of later ornithologists and travel- 
lers have added considerably, and the following enumeration of them 
will serve to fill up the list to last discoveries, 
Somateria, Leach. 
1. S. spectabilis, Leach. —King, Hider.—Common to both continents, and has 
much of the habits of the common eider. One or two specimens have 
been killed on the northern shores of Great Britain. 
Clangula, Leach. 
2. C. Barrovit, Swain. and Richards.— Rocky Mountain Garrot.—See note to 
p. 476 of the second volume. 
