LIST AND DESCRIPTION 53 



139. Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense.) 



One of the smallest of our Ducks and usually very abun- 

 dant in the State, both in nesting and migration. 



Males : head reddish brown, with wide patch of green ex- 

 tending from eyes to nape of neck, slightly crested; breast mot- 

 tled with black and white; back and sides barred with gray; 

 green wing patch; white crescent on shoulder. Females: uni- 

 formly buff and black, with larger spots on the breast, and green 

 wing patch. 



140. Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors.) 



Somewhat larger than the Green-winged Teal and prob- 

 ably the most abundant Duck of the State, breeding freely near 

 small ponds with shallow water. Males : top of head black with 

 white crescent in front of eyes; sides of head slaty; body buff 

 and black, with a patch of blue, green and white on wings. The 

 females are more uniformly buff and black, with blue wing patch. 



These little Ducks are sociable fellows and may often be 

 seen feeding with other species. They love shallow water and 

 feed on aquatic vegetable and animal forms. They are the first 

 of the Teals to go south in the fall and usually gather in large 

 flocks when migrating. 



141. Cinnamon Teal (Querquedula cy,anoptera.) 



The distribution of this Duck is given as "west of the 

 Rocky Mountains." It is therefore considered a straggler in 

 South Dakota, although pairs were taken by Mr. F. A. Patton, 

 of Artesian, in Miner County, in 1896, and records are reported 

 from adjoining States. It is about the size of the Blue-winged 

 Teal. Males : head, neck, breast and sides reddish brown ; wing 

 like that of the male Blue-winged Teal. The plumage of the fe- 

 male is much like that of the female Blue-winged Teal, but more 

 rusty brown. The bill is shaped like the Shoveler's, but is 

 smaller. 



142. Shoveler (Spatula clypeata.) 



Breeds locally over the State near lakes and ponds, al- 

 though it has been known to nest a mile from water. Mr. F. A. 

 Patton reports the following peculiarity in the nesting habits of 



