68 



western Texas, where it is 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 Eio Graude (Merrill). It is an occa- 

 sional visitant in Manitoba, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, and Lou- 

 isiana. In 1883 it reached Emporia, Kans., March 22. 



142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). [COS.] Shoveller. 



Winters from southern Illinois southward ; breeds abundantly in the 

 Northern States and Manitoba, and sparingly iu 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 Gad wall. In 

 the fall of 1S84 the first Shoveller was reported from Des Moines, Iowa, 

 aud 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, 111. The first was seen at Emporia, Kans., April 4; at Lanes- 

 boro, Minn., and Menoken, Dak., April 10, aud Shell Eiver, 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 ond 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, Minn., 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, 111. The only record of their wintering further north 



