87 
29. Mergus serrator Linnaeus, red-breasted merganser. 
Eskimo: Pyle; Pai, -paik, -pait, according to Hantzsch. 
Not observed in 1923 during the voyage among the eastern Arctic 
islands. In February, 1925, Eskimo of Merchants bay stated that the 
pyle bred sparingly in that region. This bird was first observed on June 9, 
1925, when three (one of which was collected) were seen in an open riffle 
in Takuirbing river, Nettilling lake. On June 12 three mated pairs visited 
the same place, and a female was collected with ovaries greatly developed. 
Though never common, the species was observed almost daily during June 
in this locality, usually in pairs. A flock of six was seen on June 25, three 
of these were collected and proved to be females with undeveloped ovaries. 
The bird was much scarcer in late June and only an occasional bird was 
seen in July. Another flock of six was seen on August 1. A few were 
observed in late August on the east coast of Nettilling lake; none was 
seen in the southern part of the lake, or on the west coast. In early 
September a flock of seven was observed in Kamusiving bay. The last 
of the season was seen on September 11 on Amittok lake. 
The species was observed sparingly about cape Dorset and Fox islands 
in June and July, 1926. Two were collected at Ait ken lakes northwest of 
cape Dorset on July 18. One was taken at Amadjuak bay on August 3. 
A bird on June 15 was just going into eclipse plumage, while one secured 
August 3 seemed to be but little farther advanced in the same change. 
Ivumlien (1879, p. 94) records this species as a regular breeder in 
Cumberland sound, but not very common. He states that it begins 
nesting about July 1 on perpendicular faces of high cliffs. Hantzsch 
(1914, pp. 162-163) records that a number were killed at Blacklead island 
in October, 1909. He next noted the species on May 28, 1910, and observed 
it many times at Isoa and Tikerakdjuak, Nettilling lake, between June 
and July. 
30. Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, mallard. 
A female mallard was observed by Captain II. T. Munn at Ponds 
inlet ( See Lloyd, 1922, p. 50). Kumlien (1879, p. 88) says that he did 
not observe this species in Cumberland sound and that it is unknown to 
the Eskimo. This species was not observed by Hantzsch nor by the present 
writer. 
31. Clangula hyemalis (Linnaeus), old-squaw. 
Eskimo: Aggek , -gik, -git, according to Hantzsch. 
A female was collected at Ponds inlet on August 22, 1923. Constable 
T. Tredgold, R.C.M.P., secured an example near Pangnirtung fiord on 
September 8, 1924. The species was first observed in 1925, on June 20, 
at Nettilling lake, when a mated pair were seen and the male was collected. 
The species was observed sparingly throughout June in the vicinity of 
Takuirbing river, Nettilling lake. Two females were taken, one on June 
27 and the other June 28; the ovaries of the latter were very much enlarged 
showing that she was on the point of laying. 
On July 10 a full set of seven, very much incubated eggs was taken 
on the shore of the lake. A flock of four was observed on July 14. None 
was seen on the voyage around the southern part of Nettilling lake between 
August 18 and September 12, except a doubtfully identified pair at Meadow 
bay on August 21. 
