THE BALDPATE. 589 



Recognition Marks. — Under Mallard size ; white "pate" and green head- 

 patches of male; white of middle and greater wing-coverts; speculum diagnostic. 

 Head not cinnamon-red, as distinguished from preceding species. 



Nesting. — Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, on the ground near water; 

 well constructed of grasses, lined with feathers. Eggs, 8-12, buffy white. Av. 

 size, 2.00 x 1.50 (50.8 x 38.1 J. 



General Range, — North America from the Arctic Ocean south in winter to 

 Guatemala and Cuba. Breeds chiefly north of the United States. 



Range in Ohio. — Once abundant migrant, now found only locally and occa- 

 sionally. Possibly summer resident. 



TO receive the full impression of the dignity which befits these grave 

 senators, one should spy upon them from some convenient willow ambush, 

 as they stand about upon the mud-flats taking an after-dinner-nap, after a com- 

 fortable meal of shrimp salad and duck-weed. At such times the mixture 

 of somnolence and content gives the birds a very decorous appearance, but 

 when they are seen junketting upon the water they do not seem to be less 

 frivolous than other ducks. 



In the Chesapeake Bay region, where large numbers of them winter, the 

 Baldpates are said to make up for their own lack of skill in diving, by seizing 

 upon the pieces of wild celery which the Canvas-backs and Black-heads bring 

 up from the bottom, and wresting the spoils from their rightful owners. As 

 a consequence, however, of their feeding upon this unlawful food, their flesh 

 is as highly esteemed as that of the celery-fed Canvas-back itself. In their 

 summer home these Widgeons feed largely upon insects, and the flesh be- 

 comes less palatable. 



No instances are known of this bird's breeding in Ohio, altho it may 

 do so. Professor Butler reports several broods raised in northern Indiana, 

 and a correspondent tells of a female Widgeon which was found on Hogback 

 Lake, leading a brood of thirteen young just hatched. Upon being pursued 

 with a boat all the young ones got upon the mother's back and she swam away 

 with them. 



During migrations Baldpates occasionally occur in considerable numbers 

 upon the Reservoirs and on Lake Erie, but only small bands, or twos and 

 threes, are found elsewhere. The birds move northward early in April and 

 return late in October. 



