Zoological Explorations. 257 



Anas strepera Linn. Gadzvall. Rather common, breed- 

 ing along with the mallard, in the sloughs near Chemawawin. 

 MacFarlane thinks that this species breeds within the Arctic 

 Circle. 



Anas discors Linn. Blue-zviiigcd Teal. Abundant at 

 Chemawawin, especially in a slough frequented by grebes 

 and coots. "It seems to prefer the smaller ponds, leaving 

 the large sheets of water to the- mallard and other large 

 ducks." (Thompson.) 



Six specimens secured; 5 ? ^^cl i I jiiv. 



Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Shoveller. Common, asso- 

 ciated with the blue-winged teal. Breeds within the Arctic 

 Circle. ( MacFarlane. ) 



Four specimens secured; all $. 



Aythya AMERICANA (Eyt.). Red-hcad. Common around 

 Chemawawin, where it was breeding in the slough along with 

 the mallard. About twenty miles above the village there is 

 a lake of considerable size, through which the southern 

 branch of the Saskatchewan runs. On this lake, and the 

 connected marshes and sloughs, countless numbers of the red- 

 head breed. At the time of my visit, these ducks outnum- 

 bered all others. In paddling through the sloughs, small 

 flocks of females and young would come into view at every 

 turn. This must be the hunter's paradise in autumn or spring. 

 The arts that the old females would exercise to decoy us 

 away from their broods were laughable. They seemed even 

 more expert than other ducks in hiding. I have seen them 

 dive and swim to the edge of a patch of rushes, and then 

 stick their heads only above the water, remaining perfectly 

 motionless in this position until the canoe was within a paddle's 

 length of them. They are skillful divers, and will elude even 

 the Indians at times, after being seriously wounded. 



Downy young: Above olive brown, darkening to dusky 

 on rump and scapulars. Buff}" spots arranged as follows: 

 One on each side of rump, one on each wing, and one on each 



