1 68 Bent, Nesti?ig Habits of Anatidd; tii N. Dakota. \j!^. 



wing told the story. She alighted nearby in open water, and 

 gave me and my companion such fine opportunity to study her 

 with the glass and note every detail of her plumage, both as she 

 sat and as she flew back and forth before us, that it was not 

 necessary to sacrifice her for identification. Nothing was seen of 

 the male." 



Dr. Bishop also flushed two or three ducks from their nests, in 

 Nelson County in 1901, which he supposed to be Ring-necked 

 Ducks, but he did not positively identify the bird in either case. 



Clangula clangula americana {Faxon). American Golden- 

 eye. 



In the heavily timbered regions about the shores of the larger 

 lakes the Golden-eyes may be found breeding quite commonly, 

 even abundantly in certain localities where the conditions are 

 favorable. Along the shores of these lakes the heavy timber grows 

 in narrow belts, except on the points or promontories, which are 

 often entirely covered with trees, forming a forest of considerable 

 extent. The largest trees are elms which sometimes tower above 

 the rest of the woods to a height of 50 or 60 feet. The swamp 

 oaks grow to a considerable size and approach the elms very 

 closely in height. Cotton woods and box elders form a large part 

 of the timber but do not equal the first two species in size. The 

 woods thus formed are usually rather open and the large trees 

 somewhat scattered, giving an opportunity for smaller trees and 

 underbrush to grow beneath them. The timbered areas of the 

 State being restricted to these narrow strips, which form such a 

 small part of the total area, has led to overcrowding of the 

 woodland species of birds until the woods are fairly alive with 

 them. Bronzed Grackles fairly swarm here in almost countless 

 numbers, and the smaller trees, as well as many of the larger ones 

 are filled with their nests. The soft cooing of Mourning Doves is 

 heard on all sides. The clamorous cries of the Arkansas Kingbirds 

 are constantly ringing in one's ears. The woods are full of Western 

 House Wrens flitting nervously about and pouring out their joyous, 

 bubbling notes. Purple Martins are sailing about overhead, or 



