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. 
Marina AMERICANA Sane Redhead. 
Not uncomm 
The iad = 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. 
Marina VALISINERIA ( then Canvas-back. 
Not uncommon mi 
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. 
Mariua marta (Linn. ). bone Duck. 
Not uncommon migran 
The Scaup Duck arrives is 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. 
