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ANAS AMERICANA 
The mating flight has been well described by Wetmore (1920) and was first seen 
by Mr. Harper on the Athabasca on May 21. It is certain that these flights do not 
take place until after the breeding grounds have been actually reached, and prob- 
ably not until nesting has begun. As described by Wetmore (1920) this nuptial 
flight is performed with great dash and speed, even more than in the Gadwall, the 
males darting ahead of the females, setting and decurving their wings, and throwing 
their heads up, exhibiting their striking markings to the best advantage. Both male 
and female call constantly during this performance, and two males and a female 
invariably took part in what he calls the “display-flight.” 
The Baldpate is one of the late-nesting ducks, laying as late as the Gadwall or even 
later, and at about the same time as the Lesser Scaup. In North Dakota the average 
date for full clutches was about June 15 (Job, 1902) and Bent (1901-02) found very 
few eggs before June 1. Of course the seasons vary so much that only comparative 
dates are of much interest or value. During the spring of 1920, which was a late 
one, the first brood of young was seen on July 4 at the mouth of the Athabasca, but 
nests were discovered at the end of the first week of July (Harper, MS.). Even in the 
southern limits they breed late, in Utah mostly mid-May to mid-June and in Modoc 
County, California, a clutch of nine fresh eggs was found on June 20 (Grinnell, 
Bryant and Storer, 1918). On the other hand eggs were found as early as the end of 
May at St. Michael’s, Alaska (Nelson, 1887). Preble (1908) found young unable to 
fly, north of Fort Rae, on August 1 and 4, and young in this condition have been seen 
as late as the middle of September in North Dakota (Coues, 1874). 
The location chosen for the nest varies somewhat, but is commonly on high, dry 
ground, in wooded or brushy country. It is frequently at the foot of a tree and may 
be at some distance from the water (Nelson, 1887; Bent, 1901-02; J. and J. M. 
Macoun, 1909; Kennicott, in Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884; F. Harper, MS.). 
Kennicott says that in Alaska he several times found single perfect eggs dropped on 
the bank of a river. 
The normal clutch numbers from eight to twelve eggs, the average being about 
ten. The eggs are like those of the European Widgeon and cannot always be dis- 
tinguished from those of the Gadwall. They are deep cream to nearly white in color 
and measure 51-60.1 mm. by 36.2-40.1 mm., the average being 55.1 by 38.8 (Grin- 
nell, Bryant and Storer, 1918). 
The period of incubation is the same as with the European Widgeon, that is, from 
twenty-two to twenty-four days, a good deal less than in the Mallard. Females 
with young employ the usual ruses for leading the intruder away from the brood by 
flapping along on the water imtil the family is considered safe. The males begin to 
flock together early in the breeding season, and even by July 6 they were seen in 
small bands in the Athabasca Delta (Harper, MS.), while Preble (1908) saw a flock 
composed entirely of males on the Slave River as early as June 30. Harper saw some 
