320 Beyer, Allison, Kopmax, Birds of Louisiana. [juiv 



But the principal nights of transients occur in spring, even in April, dur- 

 ing the passage of Blue-winged Teals. 



Local names: Paille-en-queue (Straw-tail); Sprigtail. 



40. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Though this species is found to a 

 considerable extent in swampy country coastwise, the characteristic 

 habitat of the Wood Duck in Louisiana is the heavy inland swamps about 

 lakes or along rivers. It is extremely common, for instance, about shallow 

 sloughs in heavy hardwood growths along the Mississippi in northeastern 

 Louisiana. The dense forests along the lower course of the Atchafalaya, 

 however, and some of the swamps about lakes and rivers in southwest 

 Louisiana are likewise very attractive to this species. An undoubted 

 factor in determining the abundance of the Wood Duck is the presence of 

 the water-chinquapin (Nelumbium luteum). As a food of the Wood Duck 

 the seeds of this plant are extremely important. 



In the southern part of the State at least, the Wood Duck is seldom 

 seen in winter. Nesting usually begins in the early part of April. 

 Local name: Brancheur (percher). 



41. Red-head (Aythya americana). This species is rather common 

 coastwise and is found chiefly from the middle of November to the middle 

 of February. 



Local names: Violon (Violin). 



42. Canvas-back (Aythya vallisneria) . The numbers of this species 

 are probably on a steady decline. There are certain little-visited localities, 

 however, especially near the mouth of the Mississippi, where it still occurs 

 in considerable abundance during some seasons. Like the Red-head, it 

 prefers the coast; its migratory movements, also, are similar to those of 

 the Red-head. 



Local names: Canard cheval. 



43. American Scaup (Aythya marila). The occurrence of this species 

 is confined chiefly to the colder parts of the winter. This species is seldom 

 found away from the coast, and occurs more frequently on the open Gulf 

 waters than any other species. In distinction from the next, it is called 

 by the Creoles "Dos-gris de mer." 



44. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis). This duck is probably steadily 

 commoner than any other species found in Louisiana. It is present from 

 about October 15 to March 15. It is most abundant, of course, in the 

 southern part of the State. At times, it occurs in large flocks; again, 

 many single individuals may be seen on the inlets and salt lakes of the 

 southeastern part of the State. 



Local name: Dos-gris (Grayback). 



45. Ring-necked Duck (Aythya coUaris). This is a common winter 

 visitor; its movements are about the same as those of the Lesser Scaup. 



Local names: Black Duck; Canard noir. 



46. American Golden-eye (Clangula clangula americana). This 

 species is a rather uncommon winter visitor; it appears to loiter in spring, 

 and on June 15, 1894, Mr. A. B. Blakemore shot a female on Cat Island, 

 off the coast of Mississippi. 



