Birds of Bristol County , Mass. 
F.W-Andros. 
^wiia i (Canvas-tack- Mi- 
Aythya vallisneria (Wils.), 
grant, very rare. 
0,*0. XII. sept. 1887 P-^8 
Docks of Oobasset, Mobs. , 1800-92 
O.H.E. Boston, Hass. 
12. Canvas-back (147). Very rare. One 
taken by Mr. B. C. Clark, November, 1883. ■ 
o.fe O.Vol.17, June, 1892 p.90 
Auk, XIV. Apr. , 1807, P- Z* 6 - 
The Canvas-back Duck in Massachusetts. — Four specimens of this 
species (Aythya vallisneria ), two of each sex, were shot in Silver Lake, 
Pembroke, Plymouth County, Dec. 18, 1896, from the stand of Mr. Thomas 
Arnold of North Abington. I have seen a pair of them that he has had 
mounted. There were five in the flock. Mr. Arnold authorizes me to 
report this capture. 
A single Canvas-back, a male, was seen by Mr. J. E. Bassett in Nippe- 
nickett Pond, Bridgewater, Nov. 26, 1896, accompaning two Dusky Ducks 
(Anas obscura'). The three swam almost within gunshot of the stand, 
allowing a protracted scrutiny of them through a field glass, and another 
later in the day. Mr. B. has shot hundreds of Red-heads, and at once saw 
that this was a different bird, and described to me all the characteristics of 
A. vallisneria with perfect accuracy. These, with other reported occur- 
rences, indicate a phenomenal flight of the species in Massachusetts in the 
late fall of 1896. — Herbert K. Job, North Middleboro\ Mass. 
The Canvasback at Bridgewater, Mass. — For many years until the 
19th of October, 1907, there is no record of the Canvasback ( Aythya val- 
lisneria) at Nippenickett Pond, Bridgewater, Mass. Upon the above date 
Elbert L. Hall and Irving Hall shot six birds of this species from a flock 
of thirteen. All the captured ones, and as nearly as could be learned all 
those escaping, were in either the female or immature male plumage. — 
Arthur C. Dyke, Bridgewater, Mass. Auk 25, Jan ! 9Q8,p* % 0 * 
