70 



3. In the fall of 1884 the first migrant was reported from Des Moines, 

 Iowa, October 18. The bulk arrived there October 25, and the last was 

 seen November 10. 



In the spring of 1885 the first Wood Ducks were seen at Shawnee- 

 town, 111., February 27; at Mount Carmel, Mo., March 17 ; Des Moines, 

 Iowa, March 19; Emporia, Kans., March 29; Laporte City, Iowa, March 

 26 ; and during the first five days of April they were noted from Heron 

 Lake, Lanesboro, Lake City, Excelsior, Minneapolis, and Elk Eiver, 

 Minn., and from Durand, Wis. In the fall of 1885 they began to come 

 out from their breeding places and fly on the river at Shawneetown, 

 111., August 20. The last at Heron Lake, Minn., was seen October 

 13 ; at Saint Louis, Mo., the balk arrived September 22. 



146, Aythya americana (Eyt.). [618.] Bedhead. 



Breeds in Manitoba and the northern tier of States ; range much the 

 same as that of the Canvas-back, but more abundant than it in the 

 Southern States. At Moss Point, Miss., in 1883, they came about the 

 middle of November, and were abundant all winter. Mr. Wood, of Moss 

 Point, says that about March 1 they collect on the islands, load them- 

 selves with sand, and when a favorable wind comes they go with it.* 

 They were a common winter resident at San Angelo, Tex., and great 

 flocks were still present March 5, 1881. March 8 they came to latitude 

 39° 12', in Kansas; March 11 they were at latitude 38° 40', in Missouri; 

 March 12 at latitude 41° 40', in Iowa ; March 14 at latitude 38° 55', in 

 Kansas ; March 15 at latitude 41° 36', in Illinois ; March 22 at latitude 

 42° IS', in Iowa; March 24 at latitude 42° 56', in Dakota, and at latitude 

 43° 4S 7 , in Minnesota, at both of which places they breed ; March 25 

 they were at latitude 41° 58', in Illinois, and April 18 at latitude 44° 

 32', in Minnesota. April 16 they came to Portage la Prairie, Mani- 

 toba. 



In the fall of 1884 the first Eedhead was seen at Des Moines, Iowa, 

 October 10, and the last November 15. In 1883 the first came to San 

 Angelo, Tex., where it is common in winter, October 1. 



In the spring of 1885 the records were irregular. The species was 

 recorded from Emporia, Kans,, March 2 ; Heron Lake, Minn., March 29, 

 and irregularly from intermediate points. The most southern breeding- 

 record came from Clear Lake, Iowa. 



In the fall of 1885 the first was seen at Iowa City, Iowa, October 6, 

 and the last at Heron Lake, Minn., November 26. At Saint Louis, 

 Mo., the first was seen October 16, and the bulk arrived October 24. 



147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). [617.] Canvas-back. 



Bather rare away from the coast in winter, but has been known to 

 occur in southern Illinois. A few breed at Heron Lake, Minn., and 



[* I have heard the same hahit attributed to Ducks in Newfoundland and other 

 places, hut am not aware that there are any facts on which the notion is based. — 

 C. H. M. ] 



