LONG-TAILED DUCK: OLD SQUAW. 



IN North America the Old Squaw is found from the 

 Arctic Sea to the Potomac and Ohio rivers and occa- 

 sionally in Florida, Texas, and California, but it is met 

 with mainly along the sea-coast, although in winter it is 

 observed in considerable numbers on Lake Michigan and 

 in Wisconsin. It comes to its far northern breeding 

 grounds, on the Alaskan coast of Behring Sea. about the 

 middle of May, being among the very earliest arrivals of 

 the Duck tribe. It is found on the Aleutian Islands and 

 has been known to winter around L^nalaska. 



Nelson states that these birds do not reach their nest- 

 ing grounds from the sea until the ice has nearly all dis- 

 appeared from the ponds and creeks, and the females 

 begin to lay about the 12th of May, and from that date to 

 the 25th. The nests are usually placed upon the sloping 

 grassy banks of the ponds close to the water, and the 

 parents keep in the neighborhood. During the period of 

 courtship the male frequently swims rapidly about the 

 female, with his long tail feathers elevated and vibrating 

 from side to side, and during this display he utters his 

 love note. The voice of this Duck is soft and with rather 

 a sweet tone; the three notes usually uttered resem- 

 bling somewhat the words, " Old, South Southerly," or 

 " South South Southerly." ending with a rising inflec- 

 tion. Occasionally the female, when pressed by too 

 ardent a lover, suddenly dives, followed by her partner, 

 and they as quickly appear again and are on the wing, 

 when a chase follows, both birds diving when at full 



