VANISHING BIRDS 31 



White Pelican. Formerly bred commonly all over the state. 

 Now only a transient. 



Wood Duck. Once abundant. Scarce of late years but appar- 

 ently reappearing again in some favorable localities. 



Redhead Duck. 



Canvas-back Duck. These two ducks once bred abundantly all 

 over the state; now only sparingly. Ducks in general have 

 been greatly reduced in numbers, especially as summer resi- 

 dents; but the operation of the Federal Migratory Bird Law 

 appears to have already brought about some improvement 

 and much more is confidently hoped from the Migratory Bird 

 Treaty Act now in force. 



Canada Goose. Once a common summer resident throughout the 

 state; now rarely if ever nesting here. 



Whooping Crane. Formerly a common summer resident and 

 nesting throughout the prairie regions of the state. It 

 gradually disappeared until for some years past it has oc- 

 curred only as an exceedingly rare transient visitant. The 

 last record is of two seen together in the vicinity of Badger, 

 Roseau County, on April 23, 1917. One of them was shot 

 and brought for mounting to Mr. P. O. Frykland, of Badger, 

 from whom this information was obtained. 



Sandhill Crane. Formerly a common summer resident; now only 

 a transient in limited numbers. 



Wilson's Phalarope. Once an abundant nesting bird all over the 

 state; now scarce. 



Woodcock. Once fairly common in some localities; now scarce. 



Marbled Godwit. The thousands that once nested on our western 

 prairies are now only a memory; a few scattered pairs remain. 



Western Willet. Rare now as a breeding bird; once common on 

 the prairies. 



Greater Yellow-legs. Once a common migrant; now infrequent. 



Upland Plover. The numberless thousands that once made Min- 

 nesota their summer home are now reduced to a pitiable 

 remnant. 



Black-bellied Plover. Rarely encountered of late. 



Golden Plover. Forty or fifty years ago this bird, often called 

 the "Prairie Pigeon," migrated through Minnesota in immense 

 numbers. It flew in dense flocks in open country, was easily 

 decoyed, and so was a ready prey for the uncontrolled hunters 

 of those days. Its flesh was excellent eating and much sought 



