Breeding of Fuligula collaris in Southeastern Minnesota, 
and a Description of its Nest and Eggs. — On the 1st of June, 
1876, I took a nest and nine eggs of the Ring-necked Duck, about eight 
miles from Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minn. The nest was found on 
May 27, with its full complement of eggs, but on account of the absence of 
the parent it had to be left for further identification. It was not until the 
third visit that the bird was found on the nest, when she was shot as she flew 
off, and proved to be the female Ring-neck. The skin is now in my col- 
lection. This species is always sparingly represented in this locality dur- 
ing the summer months, and I have no doubt breeds here quite regularly. 
As I can find no account of the nest and eggs 1 give a description of these 
before me. The situation chosen for the nest was in a narrow strip of 
marsh bordering a large shallow pond or slough. About half-way between 
the shore and the edge of the open water was a mass of sunken debris, 
probably the remnants of an old muskrat house, which reached nearly or 
quite to the surface of the water, here about eight inches deep. On this 
foundation was the nest, a rather compact, bulky structure, built mainly of 
fine grass with a little moss intermingled. Outside, the grass is long and 
circularly disposed, while the bottom, inside, is composed of short broken 
pieces, and the inside rim of fine grass bent and loosely tangled together 
with considerable down among it. Measurements were not taken before 
removing the nest, but in its present condition the walls and base are two 
and a half inches thick, the diameter inside six inches, and the depth of 
the cavity three inches. The clutch was nine eggs, which contained small 
embryos. The eggs are perfectly smooth, and of a light greenish-ifciite color, 
wholly unmarked. The measurements of seven of them are as follows : 
2.19X1.58; 2.19X1.60; 2.23 X 1.58; 2.27 X 1.60; 2.23 X 1.62; 2.24 
X 1.58 ; 2.25 X 1.62. The general average is 2.23 X 1.60. — Thos. S. 
Roberts, Minneapolis, Minn. Hull, N.O.O. 5» Jan.> 1880, p (o / 
