Anas obscura. 
Boston 
1879. 
J an. 24 
Harbor, Mass. 
We next steamed in by Hull and tHence through intricate 
channels between the islands, bach towards Boston. It was 
here that we saw the greatest number of Duchs and irji some 
places the flats and coves fairly swarmed with them. In one 
place an immense flock of Black Ducks rose from the shallows 
near a point. They filled a half-acre of air in their flight 
and there must have been at least five hundred in that one 
flock. There was no mistaking their vigorous spring as they 
started from the shallow water and as they turned in their 
wings 
flight the light whitish under lining of a thousand^flashed for 
a moment in the sunlight. They were all of this species that 
were seen during the day. 
