DUCKS AND GEESE 71 



June in the Devil's Lake region in North Dakota. These 

 nests were placed in tall grasses or reeds growing in water 

 from one-half foot to three feet deep. In no instance were 

 the eggs i^laced on the ground. The dry grass is massed 

 together, forming a float, upon which the nest of practically 

 the same material is placed. Frequently the birds construct 

 a floating nest. It is a beautiful sight to observe the female 

 as she leaves her nest, uttering a soft quack as she paddles 

 out of sight among the tall grass." 



Ten eggs taken June 3, 1900, were placed in a large 

 nest containing one and one-half ounces of feathers and 

 down, plucked from the breast of the parent bird. The 

 down serves as a means of incubation during the duck's 

 absence. 



CANVAS-BACK 



Few game birds are more celebrated than the Canvas- 

 back; sportsmen and epicures find that it meets their ideal 

 of game qualities. It flies rapidly p,nd with directness, dives 

 quickly, swims rapidly, and is remarkably wary and alert, 

 while its flesh is considered incomparably delicious by many, 

 especially if the bird has been feeding on the "water- 

 celery," an abundant fresh-water plant, and its favorite 

 food. 



The canvas-back is peculiar to North America. Its 

 nearest foreign relative is the red-crested porchard of 

 Europe and Asia. The abundance of this noted game bird 

 in the temperate regions is governed chiefly by the amount 

 of water and the amount of "water-celery" found in any 

 locality. It frequents both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts 



