Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 94

142. SHOVELLER. _Spatula clypeata._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the interior from Texas
northward.

This strikingly marked Duck is twenty inches in length, has a green head
and speculum, blue wing coverts and chestnut belly. The bill is long and
broad at the tip. It makes its nest on the ground in marshy places, of
grass, weeds and feathers. Six to ten eggs constitute a complete set.
They are greenish or leaden gray color. Size 2.10 x 1.50.
Data.--Graham's Island, North Dakota, May 28, 1899. Nest of dead weed
stems and grass, lined with down. Ten eggs. Collector, E. S. Bryant.

143. PINTAIL. _Dafila acuta._

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America from northern
United States northward, wintering south to Panama. This species, which
is also known as the Sprig-tail, is very common in the United States in
the spring and fall migrations. It is about thirty inches long, its
length depending upon the development of the tail feathers, the central
ones of which are long and pointed. They breed casually in many sections
of the United States, but in abundance from Manitoba to the Arctic
Ocean. They nest near the water, laying from six to twelve eggs of dull
olive color. Size 2.20 x 1.50. Data.--Graham's Island, Devil's Lake, N.
Dakota, June 15, 1900. Ten eggs. Nest on the ground, of weeds, lined
with down. Colony breeding. Collector, E. S. Bryant.

[Illustration 096: Lead gray.]
[Illustration: Pintail. Shoveller.]
[Illustration: Dull olive gray.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 95

144. WOOD DUCK. _Aix sponsa._

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from Labrador and British
Columbia south to Florida.

Bridal Duck is a name often given to this, the most beautiful of all
Ducks.

They are beautifully marked, have a large crest, and are iridescent with
all colors of the rainbow. They frequent wooded country near ponds and
lakes, feeding on water insects and mollusks in the coves. They build
their nests in hollow trees and stumps, often at quite a distance from
the water. When the young are a few days old, they slide, scramble, or
flutter down the tree trunk to the ground below, and are led to the
water. The nest is made of twigs, weeds and grass, and warmly lined with
down. The eggs are a buff color and number eight to fifteen. Size 2. x
1.5.

145. RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. _Netta rufina._

A Europ