140 



adult male was shot on the Calumet Marsh, April 13, 1876, and is now 

 preserved in a collection in Chicago. It has also been shot on Lake 

 Mendota, in Wisconsin, by Mr. Kumlien (Hoy). 



265. M. americana (GmeL). AMERICAN WIDGEON. A very 

 abundant species during the migrations and not very rare summer 

 resident. Arrives in spring about the middle of March and remains 

 until about April 20th. It nests about the borders of marshes and 

 prairie sloughs. While here during the migrations these birds show 

 a decided preference for the open water on overflowed marshes and 

 large sloughs, and are very difficult to approach. Immense numbers 

 are shot along the various rivers In the state and sent to the Chicago 

 market. 



Genus Querquedula Steph. 



266. Q. carolinensis (Gmel.). GREEN- WINGED TEAL. Very com- 

 mon migrant. Arrives about the 5th to the 10th of April, and the 

 majority pass north by the 25th. Returns the first of October, and 

 remains until into November. Breeds sparingly. .1 have known of a 

 few instances of its nest being found, and have myself observed seve- 

 ral pairs of the birds in this vicinity during the breeding season. 



267. Q. discors (Linn.). BLUE-WINGED TKAL. Very abundant 

 migrant and a common summer resident in all suitable localities. 

 The middle of May, 1875, 1 obtained a nest of this species containing 

 fourteen freshly laid eggs. The parent was flushed from the nest 

 within a few yards. It was situated near a branch of the Calumet 

 Marsh and close to the rail-road track, being about midway between 

 the track and fence in a dense bunch of grass. The nest was a well 

 matted structure composed of feathers and grass, with the rim turned 

 in so as to partly cover the bird when sitting. As has been the ease 

 each time I have discovered a duck's nest, and often when I have been 

 in the vicinity of one not known to me, the parents circled about me 

 the entire time I was near the nest, often coming within gunshot and 

 exhibiting considerable anxiety. Arrives a few days later than the 

 preceding in spring, and leaves at about the same time in autumn. 



Genus Spatula Boie. 



268. S. clypeata Linn. SPOONBILL DUCK. An abundant migrant 

 and rather common summer resident. Breeds in much the same local- 

 ities as the preceding. Its eggs are deposited early in May. Arrives 

 the last of March, and the larger number pass north before April 20th. 

 The autumn migrations extend from the first of October until the 

 middle of November. 



Genus Aix Sw. 



269. A. sponsa Boie. WOOD DUCK. Common migrant and 



