NATURAL HISTORY. 
417 
autumn visitant; passing through early in the spring, and returning in 
the fall about the 1st of October. Very common in the fall. 
185. Gy gnus americanus , Sharpless. — American Swan. Winter 
resident. Not common. Seen sometimes on the river, and frequently 
exposed for sale in the market. 
186. Bernicla canadensis, (Linn.,)Boie. — Canada Goose. Wild Goose. 
Winter resident. Common, but seen most frequently in the air, 
flying over. Arrive in fall just before the first approach of severe 
weather. Found in market through the winter. 
187. Anas boschas , (Linn.) — Mallard. "Very abundant winter resi- 
dent. Found upon the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and (more 
rarely) upon creeks and ponds. 
188. Anas obscura , Gm. — Dusky Mallard. Black Mallard. Not 
rare. Habits same as those of preceding. 
189. Dafila acuta , (Linn.,) Jenyns. — Pintail Duck. Sprig-tail. 
Winter resident. Common. Found mostly along the margins of the 
rivers, and sometimes inland. Arrive about the first of October. 
190. Nettion carolinensis, (Gm.,) Baird. — Green-winged Teal. Win- 
ter resident. Abundant. Found chiefly along the marshes of the 
Potomac and Anacostia. Arrives sooner than most of the ducks, 
about the middle of September. 
191. Querquedula discors , (Linn.,) Steph. — Blue-winged Teal. Win- 
ter resident. The most abundant of the ducks. Habits much as 
those of preceding. 
192. Ghaulelasmus streperus , (Linn.,) Gray. — Gadwall. Winter 
resident. Habits similar to those of the Mallard, with which it is 
often found associated, but it is less numerous. 
193. Mareca americana , (Gm.,) Stephens. — Widgeon. Winter 
resident. Arrives in the fall about the first of October, and departs 
in spring during the month of April. Very abundant and not so 
difficult of approach as are most of the ducks. 
194. Aix sponsa , (Linn.,) Boie. — Wood-duck. Summer Duck. 
Permanent resident; but more abundant in winter, being seldom seen 
in summer. Not very abundant at any time. 
195. Fulixmarila, (Linn.,) Bd. — Greater Black-head Duck. Winter 
resident. Not very abundant. Often exposed for sale in market, 
but not much esteemed for food. 
196. Fulix affinis, (Forst. , ) Bd. — Lesser Black-head Duck. Winter 
resident. Same as preceding. 
197. Fulix collar is, (Donovan,) Baird. — Ping-neck Duck. Winter 
resident. Bare. Arrives in fall about the last week in September. 
198. Aytliya americana, (Eyton,) Bon. — Bed-head duck. Winter 
resident. Very abundant. A common market duck, and frequently 
offered for sale as the canvas back. Found upon the “flats n of the 
rivers, and occasionally on inland marshes. 
199. Aythya vallisneria, (Wils.,) Bon. — Canvas-back duck. Winter 
resident. At times exceedingly abundant. Highly prized by sports- 
men and epicures. Habits much those of the preceding. 
200. Bucephala americana, (Bon.,) Baird. — Golden-eye duck. Win- 
ter resident. Bather abundant. Frequently seen in the market. 
27 
