ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — DAFILA. 
515 
the Yukon the first specimens were seen in the latter part of April; and before the 
10th of May they had arrived in immense flocks, which remained some time together 
in that vicinity before passing farther north or separating to breed. At this time 
the birds were fat, and their flesh delicious, ’ much superior to that of any other 
Duck, except the Widgeon. At the Yukon the Pin-tails are the latest in nesting of 
any of the fresh-water Ducks, and generally hatch a week or two after the Mallard. 
He found them breeding in the same grounds, and at about the same time, with 
Fulix affinis, though they do not associate with that species. He always found their 
nest in low but dry ground, under the shelter of trees or bushes, though never among 
thick large trees, and not more than two or three rods from water. They never build 
on hummocks in the water, nor on high land, but always just upon the edge of a 
marsh or lake. « 
The nest is usually placed at the foot of a willow, among grass, rather than leaves 
or moss, and is extremely simple, being composed of merely a few bits of broken dry 
grass and sticks, but well lined with down. 
In observing the breeding-habits of these Ducks, Mr. Ivennicott was struck with 
the remarkable persistence in the individuals of each species in always choosing pre- 
cisely similar localities for their nests, so far as was possible ; and he was therefore 
somewhat particular in describing minutely the peculiar nesting-place chosen by 
each. 
The eggs are from seven to nine in number, and rather small in size. At the 
Yukon the young are mostly hatched in the early part of July. The old males moult 
before this time, and the females somewhat later. During the summer and fall, as 
in the spring, the flesh of this species is superior to that of any other Duck in that 
region. It leaves the Yukon and the Mackenzie River Region a little later than the 
other fresh-water Ducks, except the Widgeon. It does not collect in such large flocks 
in autumn as on its arrival in the spring. 
Mr. Kennicott found but few Pin-tails feeding on the wild rice in Northern Minne- 
sota, where Mallards, Widgeons, and Green- winged Teals were plentiful. He saw the 
young of this Duck in considerable numbers as early as June 14. 
Mr. MacFarlane found it breeding in large numbers in the neighborhood of Fort 
Anderson, and furnishes notes in regard to many nests with their eggs, identified by 
him. The nests were invariably upon the ground, usually near the water, rarely 
more than thirty or forty yards therefrom. The nest was usually a mere depression 
in the ground, lined with down, with a few decayed feathers under the eggs. The 
female sits very closely. In one case he approached within four feet before she flew 
off. The eggs were usually from six to eight in number ; and the male bird was 
frequently found in the vicinity of the nest. Mr. MacFarlane states that the Pin-tail 
is an abundant Duck in that quarter, and among the first to arrive in spring. It 
deserts its nest almost immediately after the young are hatched, and takes to the 
water with them. From personal observations he was convinced that this species, 
as well as the Ilarelda glacialis, invariably selects land-locked sheets of water for the 
purpose of rearing its young ; while other species give the preference to small streams 
of running water. 
Mr. L. Kumlien informs me that this is one of the first of the Ducks to arrive in 
the spring in Southern Wisconsin, and is then quite common. Some remain all 
summer ; but he has never found them breeding, nor seen any very young birds — as 
would in all probability be the case if any bred in that neighborhood. 
The points in the Arctic Regions from which this Duck was reported to the Smith- 
sonian Institution, are Fort Resolution and the Yukon, by Mr. Kennicott ; mouth of 
