Harris Birds of the Kansas City Region. 233 



The Gadwall has been found nesting a few counties to the 

 north. 



MARECA AMERICANA (Gmelin). Baldpate. 

 Common migrant. 



The Baldpate is often found in the company of the Gadwall. 

 The migration dates of these two species are about the same, 

 though the Baldpate has not been known to breed in the state. 

 Fairly large flocks of these two ducks have been noted during 

 the last two years ; we believe that both are increasing in num- 

 bers. 



The Baldpate is occasionally seen on the park lakes. 



NETTION CAROLINENSE (Gmelin). Green- winged Teal. 

 Very common migrant; occasional winter resident. 



The Green-winged Teal arrives from the north during Oc- 

 tober; a few remain during the mild open winters. By the 

 last week of April all have left for their northern breeding 

 grounds. 



On account of their habit of flying in compact flocks and of 

 circling back to the same spot again and again, great numbers 

 of these beautiful little ducks are killed by hunters. 



They have often been noted on the park lakes. 



QUERQUEDULA DiscoRS (Linn.). Blue-winged Teal. 

 Very common migrant and occasional summer resident. 



This duck returns from the north early and is the last to de- 

 part in the spring. Blue-wings begin to arrive early in Sep- 

 tember, the bulk passing during the latter part of the month 

 and in early October. -A few are seen as early as February on 

 their return but the bulk of the flight is not present until late 

 in April and many are observed well into May. 



Pairs of Blue-wings are observed all summer wherever there 

 are favorable nesting sites and if not disturbed would breed in 

 numbers in the county. A brood of five young with the parent 

 birds were observed on Mill Creek several times in June, 1916 

 (Bush). 



This is one of the species of water fowl that is fortunately 

 showing an increase in numbers. It has been reported as 

 breeding in great numbers in northern Missouri and in north- 

 ern and central Kansas during the summers of 1915, 1916 and 

 1917. 



It is not uncommonly seen on the Swope Park lakes. 



