DUSKY DUCK. 
175 
duck, being the most common and most numerous of all those 
of its tribe that frequent the salt marshes. It is only partially 
the shores, upon the Zostera marina ; while one or two forms resemble the gralla- 
torial birds, and are more independent of water and aquatic nourishment. In 
their breeding places, they show a like variety, choosing the reedy banks of lakes 
and rivers, the treacherous morass, the cliffs and desert sands of the sea-shore, 
the burrows of various animals, the hollows of decaying trees in the stupendous 
forests of America, or in India the welcome shade of the sacred banyan. 
Their uses are various and extensive, either as food, or their skins, feathers, 
and down, for commerce, and articles of wearing apparel, or household comfort. 
Many species are also domesticated, and in a way less precarious, lend their aid 
to the wants and luxuries of their ovvners. In the northern parts of America, 
this extensive family is most bountifully supplied, and her seay lakes and majestic 
rivers are suitable nurseries for the innumerable multitudes that annually resort 
to, and reassemble to perform the duties of incubation. In the warmer parts, 
many remain at all seasons ; but it is in what is called Arctic America, and the 
fur countries, that the prodigious concourse annually arrive, and are so much 
hunted, both for food and a profitable emolument. Several of the spring months 
have received appellations from the birds which are most plentiful during them. 
The expected visitants arrive with remarkable precision, nearly at the same 
period of the month. They extend over a large space in breadth, and continue 
flying, without intermission, for many days. The native tribes are prepared by 
experience, and the signals of their watches, for their appearance, and the first 
bird, for there are generally a scattered few before, gives notice that the havoc 
should commence. 
“ They are,” says Dr Richardson, “ of great importance in the fur countries, 
as they furnish, at certain seasons in the year, in many extensive districts, almost 
the only article of food that can be procured. The arrival of the water-fowl 
marks the commencement of spring, and diffuses as much joy among the wan- 
dering hunters of the Arctic regions, as the harvest or vintage excites in more 
genial climes. The period of their migration southwards again, in large flocks, 
at the close of summer, is another season of plenty, bountifully granted to the 
natives, and fitting them for encountering the rigours and privations of a northern 
winter.” 
To the species of Anatidcn which were known to Wilson as inhabitants of 
Northern America, with which bis eighth volume has been almost wholly occu- 
pied, the researches of later ornithologists and travellers have added considerably, 
and the following enumeration of them will serve to fill up the list to last dis- 
coveries. 
Somateria, Leach. 
1. S. spec^«6i7{s, Leach. -.-King, Eider. — Common to both continents, and 
