24 NORTH AMERICAN DUOKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 
crosses into central Canada early in April, and the average date of 
arrival at Aweme, Manitoba (ten years), is April 3 (earliest March 24, 
L905); Qii' Appelle, Saskatchewan (six years), April 1" (earliest, March 
26, L905). The earliest migrants were seen at Fort Resolution May 7. 
L860; near Fort Providence, April l'T. L904; Fort Simpson, May :>. 
L904; Kowak River, Alaska, May IT. L899. 
The last one seen in L892 at Shelhnound, Miss., was on April 5; 
in oorthern Texas one was seen as late as May 6, 1889, In central 
Missouri, where a few remain to breed, the average date when the 
la>t migrants are seen is March 28. 
Fall migration, — In the fall this species returns with the general 
mas- of ducks, and the average date of its arrival at Alexandria. 
Ya.. is September 21 (earliest. August 28, 1896); it becomes common 
October 27; at Chicago, 111., September 27; Grinnell, Iowa, Septem- 
ber IT; and in northern Texas October 11. The first one was noted 
at San Angelo, Tex., August 10, 1883, and at Austin, Tex., Septem- 
ber 1. 1893. 
The mallard is one of the moderately hardy ducks, and remains in 
the north until the lakes begin to freeze. Average dates when the 
last were seen are: Montreal, Canada, October 20 (latest, November 13, 
1897); Scotch Lake, New Brunswick, November T; Ottawa, Ontario 
(nine years), November 5 (latest, November 14, 1904); Aweme, Mani- 
toba (eight years), November 12 (latest, November 23, 1902); Chicago, 
111., November 13; English Lake, Ind., December 9; southern Minne- 
sota (ten years), November 22 (latest, December 11, 1890); central 
Iowa (12 years), November 15 (latest, November l'T. L903); central 
Nebraska, November 18 (latest, November 26, 1899). 
Anas obscura Gmel. Black Duck. 
Breeding range, — The group of 'black' or 'dusky' ducks comprises 
several species which closely resemble each other and which have been 
distinguished only in recent years. The black duck is the common 
breeding duck of New England and northern New York, south of 
which it breeds not randy on Long Island and locally in Pennsylvania 
(Bradford County), New Jersey (Long Beach), Delaware, and Mary- 
land (Ocean City. Harrow Springs). To the westward the breeding 
range extends south to Ohio (formerly), Indiana (Lake County), Illi- 
nois, Iowa (Spirit Lake), and Minnesota (Kandiyohi County). It 
breeds rarely and locally over much of Wisconsin, but breeds more 
commonly in Michigan and southern Ontario. It is a very common 
summer resident of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the 
islands of the Cult* of St. Lawrence. The most northern points at 
which it breeds are in southern Labrador and Newfoundland. Some- 
where in Labrador and in northern Ontario this form meets the more 
northern form, the red-legged duck (Anas obscura rubripes), but the 
