20 



FURTHKK (IliSKkVATIONS l)\' i\l I i\ i\ KS( )TA IllKDS: 



glory of discovering tiie existence (if it does exist) of this former 

 summer resident still remains for some aspiring ornithologist. 



There is no need of confusing these two birds. The wild 

 pigeon is 16^4 inches long; the ground do\-e only 11^4 inches, 

 approximately. The upper part of the former are dove-colored or 

 bluish-slate with metallic reflections on the sides of the neck of 

 the male, while the upper parts of the do\'e are grayish-brown. 

 The nests of both consist of small twigs loosel}- put together and 

 containing" in each case two white eggs. 



THE WOOD DUCK. 



A bird like the woodcock and some others, rapidlv growing 

 more scarce in Minnesota and included here with the Golden 

 Plover as representing our ■'^•anishing■ liirds." Strikingly tropical- 

 looking is the male bird. In the above excellent illustration imag- 

 ine the sides of the face and soft crested crown, green with 

 purplish reflections, contrasting sharply with the white of the up- 

 per throat, the Ijreast a rich, purplish chestnut, finely spotted with 

 white; sides yellowish, delicately pencilled with black, with ends 

 <jf flank feathers sharply barred with black and white. Back 

 blackish or brownish, with green reflections, and long wing-- 

 feathers, bluish with green reflections. The eye (iris) bright red. 

 A veritable prince amongst ducks, cajjable of domestication and 



