RsldpStC {Mareca americana) 



Range : Breeds from northwestern Alaska, northern Mackenzie, and central 

 Keewatin south to Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, southern Wisconsin, 

 and northern Indiana; winters from southern British Columbia, Arizona, southern 

 Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware south to southern Lower California, the West 

 Indies, and Costa Rica. 



The beautiful baldpate is widespread over the fresh-water lakes and ponds 

 of the United States from ocean to ocean. Formerly this bird nested in great 

 numbers in the Western States, but of recent years its nesting grounds have been 

 greatly restricted, and now most of the ducks that visit the United States come 

 from farther north. The baldpate used to be one of the most abundant of ducks, 

 and only recently was to be met with in large flocks, but it has been so greatly 

 reduced in numbers by sportsmen and market gunners, that it can be said to be 

 abundant in only a few localities. When disturbed in ponds near the coast, it has 

 learned to find safety on the ocean, returning to its feeding grounds only when 

 it thinks all danger has passed. It has become one of the wariest of ducks and, 

 like the black duck, has reversed its natural habits in many localities and become 

 a night feeder, devoting the hours of daylight to safeguarding its life by incessant 

 watchfulness. Like most other ducks, the baldpate is fond of wild celery, but as 

 its skill as a diver is small, it essays the role of highwayman, and when the canvas- 

 back or redhead appears on the surface with a bill full of the coveted grass, the 

 fruit of honest toil, it snatches the booty and makes ofi with it. 



My Valentine 



By Saidee Gerard RuthraufF 



A valentine was offered me on Valentine's fair morning. 



'Twas silver broidered on with gold, and jewels its adorning. 

 'Twas silver, leaping to the sky, in golden showers returning 



With diamond flashings, sheen of pearls, and flame of ruby burning. 

 'Twas sweet as heart's first conscious love, 'twas glorious as knowing 



That after years, a heart true-tried, is still with true love glowing. 

 It was a lark's love song to me, on Valentine's fair morning, 



'Twas silver, broidered on with gold, and jewels its adorning. 

 A sweeter token you'll not find in heart of loved or lover, 



Nay, though around the world you go and search it through and over! 



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