90 



THE MUSEUM 



The Anatinae of the Middle Mis- 

 souri Valley. 



I do not think that there is a place 

 in the United States where a larger 

 number of species of Ducks can be 

 met with, than that portion of the 

 Missouri Valley lying in Iowa and 

 Nebraska. 



During the last fifteen years I have 

 recorded twenty species, all of them 

 within twenty miles of Omaha. I 

 have recorded the dates when seen and 

 have a pretty good Duck record for 

 this vicinity, which I present to those 

 interested among the Museum's read- 

 ers. 



Mallard, A/ias bochas, Linn. The 

 Greenhead as it is often called by 

 sportsmen, is an abundant migrant 

 and is not uncommon as a summer 

 resident in the northern portions of 

 Nebraska and Iowa. They arrive in 

 spring, March ist to April 20th; de- 

 parting southward Sept. 20th to Nov. 

 loth. During mild winters large num- 

 bers stay along the Platte River all 

 winter. Large numbers of these 

 Ducks are killed along the Missouri, 

 Niobrara, Platte, Elkhorn and Blue 

 Rivers and the adjoining lakes, sloughs 

 and swamps. 



Black Duck, Ajias obscura, Gmel. 

 A common migrant, usually seen in 

 company with the Mallard, arriving in 

 spring and departing in fall about 

 same time. Known to sportsmen as 

 Black Mallard or Dusky Duck. 



Gadwall, Anas strepcra, Linn. A 

 common migrant. Arrive March 2oth 

 to April 20th; returning southward in 

 latter September and October. 



Baldpate, Anas Americana, Gmel. 

 An abundant migrant. This species 

 is not usually seen in flocks but is com- 

 monly met with among Mallards or in 

 pairs or trios. In autumn they fre- 

 quent the corn and wheat fields and 

 are sometimes seen upon the open 

 prairie. This duck is almost always 

 in good condition. They arrive in 

 spring, March i6th to April 20th and 

 return southward Sept. 15th to Nov. 



10th. They are called Widgeon by 

 many sportsmen. 



Green-winged Teal, Anas carolin- 

 cnsis, Gmel. A comnion migrant; 

 arriving March 20th to .\pril 22d and 

 in autumn during Septeinber and the 

 first half of October. Large numbers 

 of this species are killed by loc il 

 sportsmen, notwithstanding their 

 speedy flight. 



Blue winged Teal, Anas di scars. 

 Linn. An abundant migrant and 

 somewhat common as a summer resi- 

 dent and breeder. Arrives March 20th 

 to May J St. Breeds in latter part of 

 June. fl found sets of 7, 9 and 11 

 eggs, incubation advanced, June 22d 

 to 30, 1895 in northwestern Nebrsaka). 

 Departs southward Sept. 15th to Oct. 

 20th Large numbers are killed by 

 sportsmen and market hunters. 



Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptcra, 

 ViEiLL A rather rare nngrant. A 

 few are seen in the market among the 

 other Teal. They are always among 

 the Blue-winged Teal during migra- 

 tions. A very tine male hybrid Cin- 

 namon Blue-winged Tea! was killed 

 near here by a friend of mine. It 

 showed markings of both A. discors 

 and A. cyanopcra and the crescent on 

 the head is marked with brown The 

 bird (mountedj is now in the U S. 

 National Museum. 



Shoveller, Spatula clypatca, Linn. 

 A common migrant and a few remain 

 to breed in Iowa and Nebraska; arriv- 

 ing in spring, March 15th to April loth, 

 returning in fall, September 15th to 

 October 30th. Breeds, June 1st to 

 20th. Known to local sportsmen as 

 spoonbill. Easily decoyed and killed 

 in large numbers. 



Pintail, Dafiia acuta, Linn. An 

 abundant migrant. This is the first 

 duck to arrive in spring, usually com- 

 ing in with the early spring rains and 

 sleet storms. They arrive in spring, 

 February 12th to March 20th, return- 

 ing in autumn, September 25th to 

 November ist. Locally known as 

 Sprigtail or Sprigs. Easily decoyed 

 and killed in immense numbers for 

 sport and the market. 



