Widmann — A Preliminary Catalog of the Birds of Missouri. 37 



first appear even at our northern state line seldom later than the 

 end of February. 



*144. Aix SPONSA (Linn.). Wood Duck. 



Anas sponsa. Dendronessa sponsa. Summer Duck. 



Geog. Dist. — North America from latitude 54° southward to 

 Cuba and southern California. Breeds through most of its range 

 and winters in the South Atlantic and Gulf States and in Cali- 

 fornia, returning early to the breeding grounds. 



As a transient visitant it is still fairly common from March 15 

 to April 20, and from October 20 to November 25. It is also a 

 fairly common summer resident in all heavily wooded river 

 bottoms, especially in those of the Peninsula, and manj^ succeed 

 in rearing broods in spite of continuous persecution. In August 

 and September gatherings of from 75 to 100 birds may j^et be 

 found in favorite secluded spots in our river bottoms, to which 

 they repair daily for weeks, if not disturbed too much. They 

 are early breeders, and young out of nest may be met with in the 

 second week of May. 



Subfamily Fuligulinae. River Ducks. 



146. Aythya AMERICANA (Eyt.). Redhead. 



Anas ferina. Fuligula ferina. Fuligula americana. Pochard. 



Geog. Dist.— North America to about latitude 54°, rare on the 

 North Atlantic coast. Breeds from southern California sparingly 

 to British Columbia and locally from Nebraska northward, most 

 numerously in the reedy marshes of Manitoba, Assiniboia, 

 Alberta and Saskatchewan. It winters from the coast of British 

 Columbia and from the Potomac through the southern states 

 southward to southern Mexico. 



In Missouri the Redhead is a fairly common transient visitant 

 from March 1 to April 10, exceptionally earlier in February and 

 even in January, or later (April 19, 1894, Currier) and in fall from 

 October 15 to December 1. While abundant in large flocks in 

 spring, it is less often met with in the fall. 



147. Aythya vALLisNERi A (Wils.). Canvas-back. 



Anas vallisneria. Fuligula valisneria. White-back. 



Geog. Dist. — Whole of North America; rare on north Atlantic 

 coast, more plentiful from Quebec and Ontario westward to 



