sept, 1919 BIRD NOTES FROM OREGON AND CALIFORNIA 199 
mostly during month of June. Some downies were seen as early as June 7, and they 
were still in evidence late in July. 
Marila marila. Greater Scaup. Marila affinis. Lesser Scaup. Scaup ducks were 
plentiful at Clear Lake in April and both species identified, though, owing to their simi- 
larity, in most cases identification was impossible, and I am in doubt as to the compara- 
tive abundance of the two. At Malheur they were fairly common in spring until about 
May 10, and in fall after August 5. They were also noted occasionally in summer but, 
in this locality, I was never able to approach closely enough to be sure of the species. 
Marila collaris. Ring-necked Duck. The only time that this duck was positively 
identified was on April 6 at Clear Lake, when three pairs were observed at the mouth of 
Willow Creek. They were approached closely and carefully examined with glasses. The 
bill markings, white spot on throat and ring on neck were plainly seen on the male 
birds. 
Clangula americana. Golden-eye. Noted several times on Blitzen River in late 
April and early May. 
Charitonetta albeola. Bufflehead. Female seen at Clear Lake April 7. Fairly 
common at Malheur in spring until about May 10. 
Fig. 42. NEST OF GADWALL AT MALHEUR LAKE, OREGON. 
Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruddy Duck. Breeding abundantly in tules at Malheur 
Lake, generally fairly close to open water. Several nests noted in sides of muskrat 
houses. Bulk of nesting in June. Young seen as early as June 7 and as late as early 
August. 
Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus. Lesser Snow Goose. Four birds seen at Clear 
Lake April 6. Common locally on meadowlands between Malheur Lake and Burns in late 
April. Single bird seen on Blitzen River May 12 and two more in same locality June 21. 
Anser albifrons albifrons. White-fronted Goose. About twenty-five birds seen at 
Clear Lake April 15. 
Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. Forty-six nests examined on vari- 
ous small islands in Clear Lake. Began to lay the latter part of March. Most of the 
nests contained from four to seven eggs, though eight or nine were seen occasionally, 
ten in one instance and twelve in another. It may be that these larger sets were the 
product of more than one female. Also in two nests examined were two addled eggs of 
last year together with newly laid eggs. Most of the nests were on bare ground among 
the sage-bushes but several were built among the rocks and one was in small cave in 
