BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 43 
ANAS AMERICANA GMELIN. (137.) 
BALDPATE. 
In the spring of 1864 the Baldpates were more numerous 
than any other species migrating along the Mississippi 
through Minnesota. 
It was observed by sportsmen and universally commented 
upon as most remarkable in the history of duck-shooting. 
The following year only a few were met with in the same 
localities, and never since as many relatively, but some years 
they are common while scarce in others. Subsequently, by 
extensive conference with intelligent and observing sports- 
men, and a close watch of the markets, I satisfied myself that 
the variation in local numbers was balanced within the 
longitudinal boundaries of the State; that when scarce along 
the region drained by the Mississippi they were abundant 
along that of the Minnesota river, and vice versa, through the 
following years. 
It has been a common observation that the Baldpates and 
Pintails almost uniformly arrive more or less commingled, 
which is also the case in their autumnal migrations. Bott 
species arrive a little later than some others, and are seldom 
found in the larger lakes, but in the ponds and streams. Their 
food consists largely of roots of various aquatic plants. The 
Baldpates breed on the extensive marshes of the northern 
counties of the State, where Mr. Lewis and Mr. Treganowan 
found them in June and July. The nest possesses no dis- 
tinctive characteristic and contains variously from six to 
twelve dirty, cream white eggs. 
‘Mr. Washburn found it common and breeding at Otter Tail 
and Thief river. Dr. Hvoslef notes its arrival in Fillmore 
county from the 12th to the 20th of April, but says nothing of 
its breeding there, nor have I seen its nests in the section of 
my greatest opportunity for personal observation. I found it 
already beginning to be common in Grant and Big Stone coun- 
ties late in August. 
\ SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
Tail of fourteen feathers; bill blue, the extreme base and tip 
black; head and neck pale buff, or faint reddish-yellow, each 
feather banded narrowly with blackish, giving the appearance 
of spots; top of head from bill, pale unspotted creamy- 
white; sides of head from around the eye to the nape glossy- 
green, the feathers however, with hidden spots, as described; 
