186 



RIVER AND POND DUCKS 



LIFE STORY 



The Baldpate is a New World species and breeds exclusively in 

 North America. Most members of this species spend their winters on 

 this continent, though some prefer the West Indies and parts of South 

 America as winter resorts. The Baldpate closely resembles its near 

 relative the European Widgeon, both being of the genus Mareca, and is 

 probably more commonly known by its alternative and quite proper 

 name, American Widgeon. The name "Baldpate," however, should be 

 strictly adhered to on account of the unfortunate habit among gunners 

 of calling all ducks which they are unable to identify either "widgeon" 

 or "grey duck," especially the females and juveniles of Pintail, Gad- 

 wall, and the present species. 



Baldpates are distinctive, interesting, and graceful birds; on the 

 water they sit lightly and pivot frequently as they peck for their food. 

 They are active on land, where they trot about and graze like little 

 geese. Their flight, with its rapid evolutions in dense flocks, is like that 

 of pigeons around a barn. In his full winter plumage with his shining 

 white crown, the drake is a handsome, showy bird. 



The Baldpate is commonly referred to as "thieving," and promi- 

 nent among its local names is "poacher." Honestly earned are these 

 appellations, or perhaps, dishonestly earned, would be nearer the mark! 

 Baldpates are inordinately fond of wild celery and, as their diving abil- 

 ity is not great, they pursue flocks of Canvas-backs, Redheads, ana other 

 Diving Ducks to rob them of the fruit of their honest labours. They seem 



to see their victims coming up through 

 the water, for they often swim to the 

 spot where they will emerge and are 

 ready to snatch the desired morsel as 

 soon as a bill appears above the surface. 

 There is nothing surreptitious in the 

 act as is implied by the words thieving 

 or poaching, it is robbery on the high 

 seas, piracy, no less! 



They are nervous, restless birds, 

 quick to take fright, at which time they 

 rise perpendicularly from the water with 

 loud rattling of wings and fly excitedly 

 away, twisting and circling in closely 

 bunched bands. Their quacks of alarm 

 express the limit of terror and they im- 

 part their nervousness to the flocks of 

 Diving Ducks with which they are in frequent association. As a result 

 of their alertness and quickness to perceive the approach of danger they 

 give alarm, by their quick flight, to the other ducks with which they are 

 flocking; this, to the annoyance of the gunner in the blind. 



The Baldpate decoys readily and, being a swift and erratic flyer, is 

 a favourite with gunners, but in spite of its vegetarian diet it does not 



Nervous Baldpates giving alarm 

 to Canvas-backs by their sudden 

 flight. 



