THE BIRD® OF WISCONSIN. 
23 
that the birds were winged and could not continue the journey 
northward. In December, 1877, some farmers who were 
digging the decayed vegetable matter, known locally as 
"muck," for fertilizer, exhumed in a small bay on Lake 
Koshkonong, a beautiful specimen in the condition known as 
adipocere. With the exception of the feathers, every part, 
even to the intestines, was perfectly preserved, and had the 
appearance of meerschaum. • Several shot holes are plainly 
noticeable on the breast and abdomen, and one shot is 
imbedded in the sterum. The specimen is now in the collection 
of Milton College. 
Aythya marila (IAnn.). SCAUP DUCK. 
Migrant. Of regular, but far from common occurrence on 
all the larger water courses of the state, frequenting most 
plentifully the deeper lakes and large rivers. Arrives earlier 
in spring and departs later in fall than either of the other 
"blue-bills." We have no evidence that leads us to suspect 
that this species ever breeds in the state. More common on 
Lake Michigan. We have seen large numbers of these birds, 
with a few of affinis and collaris in the Milwaukee market, all 
killed on the lake, and we suspect this is the common form 
which winters on Lake Michigan. More common inland in 
fall than spring. 
Aythya affinis (Ei/t.). LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 
An exceedingly abundant migrant, both spring and fall. 
Probably the most abundant duck in Wisconsin, arriving with 
the breaking up of the ice and remaining in the fall until well 
into December, or until every lake is frozen over. To a 
limited extent a breeding species even in southern Wisconsin, 
having been known to nest anywhere from the southern 
counties northward, but as with most of our ducks and waders 
by far the great majority pass beyond our borders to nest. 
On every lake of any size, Winnebago, Koshkonong, Delavan, 
etc., numbers pass the summer in flocks on the open water. 
These are not breeding birds, however. Easily decoyed, 
consequently great numbers are annually killed, but the 
species seem to hold its own as to numbers better than most 
ducks. The true scaup ducks are more largely animal feeders 
(especially on mollusca) than the next. 
Aythya collaris (Donov.). RING-NECKED DUCK. 
Very common during spring and fall, and to some extent 
a summer resident. Thirty to forty years ago the ring-neck 
