ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 
41 
a limit to its common occurrence in the eastern portion of its range. 
On the west it extends to the Rocky Mountains, and between these 
limits it has been recorded during the breeding-season from the Sas- 
katchewan to the Arkansas (Coues) and to the city of Mexico (Nut- 
tall). It is more closely confined to its favorite haunts than most 
water-birds, and this may, in a measure, account for the little hith- 
erto known regarding its habits. During the first two weeks of 
May, the exact date varying with the season, this beautiful bird 
first makes its appearance in Northeastern Illinois. Its arrival is 
heralded by a few females, which arrive first, and are found singly 
about the marshes. At this time the females have a peculiar harsh 
note, which I have heard but a few times, and only from solitary 
individuals before the arrival of the main body. 
A few days later small flocks, embracing both sexes, may be 
found along the borders of grassy pools, or lying at midday on the 
sunny side of some warm knoll in the marsh. As the breeding-sea- 
son approaches they become more restless, flying from place to 
place, and finally separate into small parties of two or three pairs. 
About the middle of May their love-making commences, and is at 
first indicated by the increasing solicitude they show for each 
other’s welfare. The appearance of a person in their vicinity at 
this time is the signal for all the birds near to come circling about, 
though generally not within easy gunshot. By a careful approach 
one may now and then find a small party swimming about in some 
secluded pool. The charming grace of movement exhibited at such 
times, combined with their tasteful elegance of attire, form one of 
the most pleasing sights one could witness, as they swim buoyantly 
from side to side of the pool, gracefully nodding their heads ; now 
pausing an instant to arrange a feather, or to daintily gather some 
fragment of food, and now floating idly about, wafted by the slight 
breeze which at intervals ripples the surface of the water. A more 
common, but scarcely less pleasing sight is presented when, uncon- 
scious of observation, they walk sedately along the border of the 
water, never departing from their usual easy grace of movement. 
Their food is generally found in such places, where the receding 
water furnishes a bountiful supply. The only demonstrations I 
have observed during the pairing-time consist of a kind of solemn 
bowing of the head and body ; but sometimes, with the head low- 
ered and thrust forward, they will run back and forth in front of 
the object of their regard; or again a pair may often be seen to 
