THE WILD FOWL OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 359 



some of our local, hunters insist that the gadwall and widgeon are the same bird. 

 It breeds in our marshes, but not in great numbers. 



Description. "Adult male. Wing coverts chestnut; under wing coverts and 

 axillars white; breast ringed with white. Feinale. Head and throat like male; 

 back fuscous and buffy; breast and sides ochraceous, thickly spotted with blackish; 

 speculum ashy gray and white." 



The widgeon (Anas amcricand). By some of our gunners this bird is known 

 as the "green-headed widgeon," or "greenhead," and also the "bald pate." 

 Owing to its extreme wariness it is not only hard to take, but it often succeeds 

 in frightening other birds away with its peculiar alarm signal, a sort of whistle. 



Description. "Adult male. . Head and neck reddish brown; crown buff; sides 

 with wavy white and black lines. Adult female. Head and throat rusty, finely 

 streaked and barred with black; breast and sides rusty; speculum blackish." 



Two species of teal are local breeders also ; the green-winged teal (Anas 

 carolinensus) and the blue-winged teal (Anas discors). The latter is also locally 

 known as the "white-faced teal." These are the smallest of the wild fowl that 

 visit this region, or that breed here. They are much sought after, as they are 

 considered superior to the canvas back for eating. This question of suitableness 

 for table use is, after all, a relative one. It depends wholly upon the quality and 

 kind of food the birds consume. Those that feed upon the wild celery of the 

 South, or fatten upon the wild rice found in so many localities, are superior in 

 flavor to those that feed upon inferior foods. Generally speaking, however, teal 

 are excellent table birds, inferior to none. 



The blue-winged teal are among the earliest to visit us, arriving here early in 

 September. Many remain to nest in our marshes, unless too often disturbed. 

 They are rapid flyers, and rise from the water quickly. The usual method of 

 taking them here is with decoys, or shooting over points. 



Description. "'Adult male of the green-winged teal. Wing coverts gray, 

 tipped with buff or white, a white crescent in front of wing; speculum green, 

 bordered by black, tipped with white. Female. Wings same as male, throat and 

 sides of neck white, finely spotted with black; breast and sides rusty, marked 

 with black. Adult male of the blue-winged teal. Blue wing coverts, and white 

 cheek patch. Female. Resembles female green-winged teal, but has wing 

 coverts blue, with speculum greenish brown." 



The canvas back (Atliya valisneria). Though not by any means as common 

 here as some other species, it visits us in considerable numbers and is often 

 bagged. The usual method of taking them in the St. Lawrence region is by shooting 

 over decoys, or from points as they pass from one feeding ground to another. 



