26 NORTH AMI- 1U< AN DICKS. GEESE, AND SWANS. 
Spring migration. — It is impossible to separate the migration rec- 
ords of A. obseura and A. rubripes. The following migration notes 
probably refer for the most part t > J. rubripes^ because that form 
winter- farther north. In March extensive northward movements of 
black ducks occur, but it is not until early April that the birds pass 
beyond the usual winter range. The average date of arrival for seven- 
teen years in southern Maine is April 7: the earliest. March 19, 1S94; 
the average date for Montreal is April 14. and March 27. L889, is the 
earliest: Quebec, average, April 18 (earliest, April 6, L896); Godbout, 
Quebec, average, April 21; Prince Edward Island, April 23 (earliest, 
April 5, 1S98). Farther west the average date of arrival in southern 
Ontario is April "(earliest, March 16, 1901); average at Ottawa. April 
14 (earliest, March 21, 1903). 
/-'/// migration. — A black duck was seen at Washington, D. C, 
August 1, 1887; one at Alexandria, Va.. Augusl 14. 1 vs6. and one at 
Hog Island, Va., August 20, 1886; but these are unusually early rec- 
ords. The average of a long series of excellent records at Alexandria. 
Va., is September 80 for the arrival of the first and October 31 as the 
average date when they become common. About the middle of Octo- 
ber, on the New England coast, they become common enough to usher 
in the shooting season. These dates, of course, apply to .1. obscura. 
There are no exact records of the time when A. rubripes arrives from 
its northern breeding grounds, but it is supposed that it reaches New 
England about the first week in October. In winter it remains as far 
north as it can find open water. The average date when the last leave 
Ottawa, Ontario, is November 7 (latest, November 21, L892); average 
at Montreal, November 6 (latest, November 14, L896). The last one 
was -ecu at Prince Edward Island November 13, 1889, and December 
8, 1890. 
Anas fulvigula Ridgw. Florida Duck. 
A nonmigratorv species, breeding commonly in the southern half of 
Florida, and less commonly in the northern portion. It seems to be 
absent from northeastern Florida, but occurs along the northwestern 
coast of the State. Nests in late April and in May. but sometimes 
much earlier, for downy young have been taken as early as April G. 
Anas fulvig-ula maculosa (Sen n. ). Mottled Duck. 
Resident in Texas and southern Louisiana ( Lake Arthur). In Texas 
it occurs from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward and west to about 
the middle of the State. It is accidental in Kansas (Neosho Falls, 
March 11. Is7«'>). It breeds throughout most if not all of its Texas 
range; the eggs are deposited in April. 
[Anas diazi Ridgw. Diaz I .lack Duck. 
A form of 'black duck' closely tvseniHini; . Intisfuivigula. It is nonmigratory and 
occurs in centra] Mexico from Chihuahua City to Topic, Jalisco, Michoacan, the 
Valley of .Mexico, Puebla, and Tlaxcala.] 
