68 
western Texas, where itis a rare fall migrant; it occurs in migration in 
eastern Texas, but is not common (Nehrling), and is not rare during mi- 
gration near the mouth of the Rio Grande (Merrill). It is an occa- 
sional visitant in Manitoba, Minnesota, Nebraska, Llinois, and Lou- 
isiana. In 1883 it reached Emporia, Kans., March 22. 
142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). [608.] Shoveller. 
Winters from southern Illinois southward ; breeds abundantly in the 
Northern States and Manitoba, and sparingly in Texas, northern Illi- 
nois, and Kansas. Breeds in great numbers at Heron Lake, Minn. Its 
time of migration is one or two days behind that of the Gadwall. In 
the fall of 1884 the first Shoveller was reported from Des Moines, Iowa, 
and San Angelo, Tex., October 28; and from Emporia, Kans., Octo- 
ber 24. 
In the spring of 1885 an early migrant was seen at Sioux City, Iowa, 
March 27. The regular advance was reported March 31 and April 1 
from Fayette, Mo., Des Moines, Iowa, Laporte City, Iowa, and Fern- 
wood, Ill. The first was seen at Emporia, Kans., April 4; at Lanes- 
boro, Minn., and Menoken, Dak., April 19, and Shell River, Mani- 
toba, May 8. In the fall of 1885 the last at Heron Lake, Minn., was 
seen November 13. 
143. Dafila acuta (Linn.) [605.] Pintail; Sprigtail. 
Breeds in Manitoba and the northern tier of States, and, like the other 
river Ducks, is common during the winter in the Gulf States, and oc- 
casionally as far north as Illinois, but it also goes much further south. 
It is one of the earliest Ducks to migrate and was one of the most 
abundant of those which so strenuously endeavored to work northward 
during February in 1884. It came to Pierce City and Saint Louis, Mo., 
January 31 and February 1, and February 26 more than 50 flocks, 
mostly of this species, passed over Saint Louis. This movement was 
checked the last of February, and commenced again March 8 and 9, 
bringing the species to Ellis and Manhattan, Kans., Storm Lake, Iowa, 
and Vermillion, Dak. Those which wintered south of the United States 
arrived in bulk at Moss Point, Miss., March 15, and remained until 
about the middle of April. March 12 to 15 were days of movement in 
Illinois, and Pintails spread over the whole of the State; March 23 
they arrived at Heron Lake, Minn.; and April 16 they were noted at 
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. They breed principally in British Amer- 
ica, but also at Spirit Lake, Iowa, Heron Lake, Miun., and sparingly in 
Illinois. 
In the fall of 1884 the first Pintail was seen at Des Moines, Iowa, Oc- 
tober 15, and the last November 15. The first was seen at San An. 
gelo, Tex., September 19. In 1883 the first reached San Angelo Sep- 
tember 12. 
A few Ducks of this species spent most of the winter of 1884~85 at 
Shawneetown, Ill. The only record of their wintering further north 
