144 Where to Hunt 



place of many varieties of aquatic birds. Nearly all the 

 migratory duck are found within the state. The most 

 abundant are mallard, which come early in March and 

 breed. There are beside, blue- and green-winged teal, 

 black or dusky duck, blue-bill, gadwall, pintail, wood- 

 duck, bald-pate or widgeon, shoveller or spoonbill, but- 

 terball, red-breasted merganser, American merganser, 

 scaup-duck, ring-necked duck, American goldeneye, 

 bufflehead, red-headed, old-squaw. Canvasbacks are 

 found to some extent; swan are not plentiful. The 

 American scooter, white-winged scooter, ruddy duck, 

 and king eider are also found. Geese are numerous. 

 They are most abundant in the western part, and are 

 generally shot from pits. Brant are plentiful in the west- 

 ern part Wilson's snipe are found in large numbers ; 

 yellowlegs are abundant, and plover plentiful 



Quail are found to some extent, though the severe 

 winters keep the coveys reduced ; they are found to be 

 most abundant in the southern part of the state. 



The condition of the country affects the haunts of 

 game, especially the migratory birds. To illustrate: 

 In the Red River valley, if the season is wet there is much 

 water in the low, level prairie lands. Under such con- 

 ditipns the aquatic birds are very abundant there ; but if 

 the weather is very dry, these birds are not found there, 

 and sportsmen must go elsewhere. This condition exists 

 in other parts of the state and the migratory birds con- 

 sequently often change their flights. Fires and droughts, 

 too, disturb the haunts of non-migratory game; and it is 

 nothing uncommon to find a scarcity of game in a part 

 of the state where it was plentiful the season before. 



The northern part is still sparsely settled. Game is 

 most abundant there. Its wild rice marshes and celery- 



