BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 43- 



ANAS AMERICANA Gmelin. (137.) 



BALDPATE. 



In the spring of 1864 the Baldpates were more numerous 

 than any other species migrating along the Mississippi 

 through Minnesota. 



It was observed by sportsmen and universally commented 

 upon as most remarkable in the history of duck-shooting. 

 The following year only a few were met with in the same 

 localities, and never since as many relatively, but some years 

 they are common while scarce in others. Subsequently, by 

 extensive conference with intelligent and observing sports- 

 men, and a close watch of the markets, I satisfied myself that 

 the variation in local numbers was balanced within the 

 longitudinal boundaries of the State; that when scarce along 

 the region drained by the Mississippi they were abundant 

 along that of the Minnesota river, and vice versa, through the 

 following years. 



It has been a common observation that the Baldpates and 

 Pintails almost uniformly arrive more or less commingled, 

 which is also the case in their autumnal migrations. Both 

 species arrive a little later than some others, and are seldom 

 found in the larger lakes, but in the ponds and streams. Their 

 food consists largely of roots of various aquatic plants. The 

 Baldpates breed on the extensive marshes of the northern 

 counties of the State, where Mr. Lewis and Mr. Treganowan 

 found them in June and July. The nest possesses no dis- 

 tinctive characteristic and contains variously from six to 

 twelve dirty, cream white eggs. 



Mr. Washburn found it common and breeding at Otter Tail 

 and Thief river. Dr. Hvoslef notes its arrival in Fillmore 

 county from the 12th to the 20th of April, but says nothing of 

 its breeding there, nor have I seen its nests in the section of 

 my greatest opportunity for personal observation. I found it 

 already beginning to be common in Grant and Big Stone coun- 

 ties late in August. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Tail of fourteen feathers; bill blue, the extreme base and tip 

 black; head and neck pale buff, or faint reddish-yellow, each 

 feather banded narrowly with blackish, giving the appearance 

 of spots; top of head from bill, pale unspotted creamy- 

 white; sides of head from around the eye to the nape glossy- 

 green, the feathers however, with hidden spots, as described; 



