BIRDS OF KANSAS. 77 



It is usually found in flocks *hpon the open waters, associating 

 with the Canvas-back, and diving with them for its food, which 

 chiefly consists of small mollusks, Crustacea, fishes, frogs, water 

 newts, and various kinds of submarine and fresh-water grasses 

 and plants. I have occasionally noticed the birds in shallow 

 water dabbling in the mud. 



They are much sought after by the gunner, for they are a 

 good table Duck, and in the market are often sold for the highly- 

 prized Canvas-back, which they rather closely resemble. They 

 are therefore very wary, and off at the sight of an intruder. 

 Various methods are resorted to in order to bag them, tolling, 

 netting, etc., but they are mostly shot on the wing over decoys, 

 from blinds, punts, and points of land extending out into the 

 water. When suddenly started they spring from the water in 

 a wild, confused manner, often with a quacking note, but once 

 fairly in the air fly swiftly and straight as an arrow. 



Their nests are usually placed on low, grassy grounds and 

 near the water. Eight nests, containing from one to five eggs, 

 were found by my brother, May 24th, 1868, on a small island 

 in Horicon Lake, Wisconsin. They were all near together, 

 (Mallards and other Ducks were nesting beside them,) in a thick 

 growth of grass and weeds, and not over twenty feet from the 

 water's edge; they were rather loosely made of the grasses and 

 material at hand, and lined with down. It was too early in the 

 season for a full set, which is usually seven to ten. A set of 

 eight, taken in northern Dakota, June 2d, 1880, from a nest in 

 rushes at the edge of the water, are, in dimensions: 2.64x1.73, 

 2.50x1.79, 2.42x1.76, 2.42x1.80, 2.52x1.80, 2.47x1.70, 2.54 

 xl. 76, 2.64x1.79; grayish white to pale greenish buff; inform, 

 oval to ovate. 



Ay thy a vallisneria (WILS.). 



CANVAS-BACK. 

 PLATE VI. 



Migratory; irregular; not uncommon. Arrive early in 

 March my notes show the capture of one February 22d; re- 

 turn in October. 



B. 592. R. 617. C. 724. G. 295, 35. TJ. 147. 



