1906] Review. igi 



Baldpate, Anas Americana and the Pintail, Dafila acuta, all known 

 as Marsh Ducks, feed on the seeds. The soft portion of this root 

 and the small bulb which torms at the extremity of the roots of the 

 Arrow- leaf {Sagittaria) are favorite foods of the Canvas-back, 

 Ay thy a valUsneria, and of the Redhead, Aythya Americana. These 

 ducks dive in quite deep water to get the roots and tubers they 

 feed upon, for this reason they are known as River Ducks. The 

 Redhead and Canvas back feed also on what we call the Black 

 rush, by which I mean the round green rush that grows in deep 

 water. Thev take hold of the rushes and pull them out, thus se- 

 curing the ripe brown seeds. They then leave the rush without 

 breaking it. In the fall season quite a lot of the remains 

 of the weeds which the ducks have pulled up may be found 

 floating about and lying against the adjacent shores, where 

 portions are eaten by other ducks and water hens. The River 

 Ducks seem to seek the Arrow-leaf roots just as eagerly as they 

 do those of the so-called "Wild Celery" {Valtisneria), both being 

 excellent food for the birds. 



REVIEW. 



Studies of Plant Life in Canada, by Catherine Parr Trail, 

 pp. 219. William Briggs, Toronto, Ont., $2.00. 



This long-expected re-print of Mrs. Trail's fascinating book 

 was received too late for a full review in this issue of the Ottawa 

 Naturalist, but its appropriateness as a Christmas remembrance 

 from one Nature lover to another is such thai the attention of our 

 members should be drawn to it at this time. Mrs. Trail spent the 

 greater part of a long life in the backwoods cf Canada and, 

 always a lover of flowers, she has included in her book a record of 

 all that she found most interesting or attractive in them. Mrs. 

 Chamberlain's exquisite drawings with which the work is illus- 

 trated in half-tone and color add much to its beauty and value. 

 The original edition was revised and edited by Dr. James 

 Fletcher, and in preparing the present edition for the press Mrs. 

 Chamherlain has had advice from both Dr. Fletcher and Prof. 

 Macoun. 



