40 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



The spring migrations are late for a duck, occurring dur- 

 ing late April, and the fall migrations in October. 



Dr. Langdon found it breeding in Ottawa county years 

 ago, but there are no recent records of its nesting there. 



34. (142.) Spatula clypeata (Linn.) 253. 



Shoveller. 



Synonyms: Anas clypeata. 

 Spoon-bill, Broad-bill. 



Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 166. 



From a "very common migrant" this duck has become 

 almost rare everywhere in the state. It has been recorded 

 less than a dozen times, in the last fifteen years, in Lorain 

 county, and then either singly or in small companies. If it 

 once nested in the state it has ceased to do so. Dr. 

 Wheaton inclined to the belief that it would be found nest- 

 ing in the northwestern counties. I have been unable to 

 verify this. 



It may be found during March and as late as December. 

 Migration dates are too scattering to give its movements ac- 

 curately. 



35. (143.) Dafila acuta (Linn.). 250. 



Pintail. 



Synonyms: Anas acuta. 



Spring-tail, Sprig-tail. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 166, 186. 



The Pintail appears to be about the most numerous of the 

 ducks sought after by the hunters. It is seen in consider- 

 able flocks during both the spring and autumn migrations, 

 and not infrequently stops on the smaller ponds and streams. 

 It is always wary and hard to approach. It sometimes re- 

 mains all winter in favorable localities, but has not been 

 known to breed. 



The migrations of this duck begin late in February or 

 early in March, and may continue until the first week in 

 April at the lake shore. It comes south with the first touch 



