1(3 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 



breed here. Observed in the market on April 30. 

 I have a male specimen in my collection of skins, 

 in spring plumage, which I shot June 8, 1889, be- 

 low Longueuil, and saw another one at the same 

 time. These pretty little ducks afford pleasant sport 

 during the month of September in the marshes and 

 creeks, and sportsmen appreciate them for this and 

 the delicacy of their flesh. Without the quality ot 

 good eating, there would be no pleasure in shooting 

 them. 



Genus Spatula. Boie. 



32. Shoveller. (Spoon-bill; French Teal.) S. ~cly- 



peata. (Linn.) 



" Transient Visitant," scarce. Observed in the 

 markets April 24, 1891. Mr. Craig has received 

 this species in the month of June to stuff, and it 

 probably would breed here if not disturbed. I saw 

 a duck at the mouth of the creek at Laprairie June 

 1, 1889, which appeared to me to be of this species. 

 If more plentiful, the shoveller would be a valuable 

 adjunct to the table, as its flesh is very good eating. 



Genus Dafila. Stephens. 

 Subgenus " Dafiila." 



33. Pintail. (Sprigtail; Gray-duck.) D. acuta. 



(Linn.) 

 " Transient Visitant," scarce, I saw one April 



