Harris Birds of the Kansas City Region. 235 



Aix SPONSA (Linn.). Wood Duck. 

 Rare migrant and summer resident. 



This once plentiful duck was a common breeder in the Mis- 

 souri and Blue Valleys but is now seen only occasionally. As 

 late as 1909 a pair nested in the neighborhood of the 27th 

 Street bridge on the Blue River. This pair had raised a brood 

 in this place every summer for many years but were finally 

 driven off. On June 13, 1916, two nearly grown young males 

 were observed at the mouth of Big Blue. 



Nearly every duck hunter in the county owns a mounted 

 specimen of this beautiful bird taken in this region. 



Subfamily Fuligulinae. Sea Ducks. 



MARILA AMERICANA (Eyton). Bedhead. 

 Not uncommon migrant. 



The Redhead was once an abundant migrant here but has 

 been scarcer of late years, though it is probably again on the 

 increase. 



It arrives during early March (sometimes much earlier) and 

 April on the northward flight and in late October and Novem- 

 ber on its return. It is occasionally seen in December. 



Duck hunters generally bewail the disappearance of this fast 

 flying and valuable duck but take every opportunity to slaugh- 

 ter it on sight. 



MARILA VALISINERIA (Wilson). Canvas-back. 



Not uncommon migrant. 



Like the Redhead, the" Canvas-back has greatly decreased in 

 numbers, until where formerly hundreds were observed, now 

 only dozens are seen. It is still regularly taken by hunters, 

 sometimes amid floating ice in the river as early as February. 

 It is often seen with Redheads and its migratory periods are 

 about the same. 



MARILA MARILA (Linn.). Scaup Duck. 



Not uncommon migrant. 



The Scaup Duck arrives from the south in March and April, 

 earlier during some short winters, and leaves from the first 

 week in November to the middle of December. It generally 

 consorts with the two following species. Of late years it has 

 not been seen in such large flocks as formerly. 



