Bird Banding Department 
179 
Probably the most interesting case among Mr. Osier’s duck records 
is that of a Blue-winged Teal, No. 4576. This little duck was banded on 
September 24 in company with another of its own kind and eight or ten 
Black Ducks. Two months and seven days later it was killed by a hun- 
ter in the Caroni Swamp, near Port of Spain, Island of Trinidad. The 
flight made by the bird must have been close to 3,000 miles. 
For many years it had been known that some of the Blue-winged 
Teals and certain other ducks that breed in North America wintered in 
South America. The presence of this species on the Island of Trinidad 
had been particularly noted, but there had been no information available 
to show from what part of the northern continent the birds came. 
The record of this individual is, therefore, of decided interest and 
value. The band was returned to the U. S. Biological Survey by the 
American Consul through the State Department. 
Trapping during the nesting season has again demonstrated the 
efficiency of the flat traps, and it brings to mind some of the early work 
with them at Waukegan, Illinois. The first all-wire trap was made 
about twelve inches high and almost at once the birds began to in- 
jure their heads by jumping up against the wire. The trap was, there- 
fore, cut down to four inches, a height which proved to be just right, 
and which is still used in all our traps. 
A good trapper is always changing or renewing his bait, for the 
same rule applies to birds as to animals, and one must be constantly on 
the watch to keep the bait or lure tempting. 
In the case of birds you must frequently scrape the ground clean 
under the traps and begin anew. We clean the ground or floors at least 
once a week, using a sharp hoe and a large knife, cutting all the grass 
very short near the trap. 
It is necessary to clean oftener in rainy seasons, as the bread and 
crackers sour, the fruits decay, and the grains and seeds sprout closely 
together and become sour and moldy. 
Another trapping rule is to change the kind of bait. Change from 
white bread to graham crackers to corn bread well sweetened. In win- 
ter fried cakes are very good, chickadees being fond of them. 
Sunflower seeds bring many birds in fall and winter, but our sum- 
mer birds are not fond of them, and they sprout and sour quickly. 
In fall cut pears are good, but should be renewed daily. 
Mulberries are very good in season. 
Cranberries are bright and attractive and keep well in cold weather, 
making a very good winter bait. 
Coral berries or Indian currants make a good bait in winter also. 
They worked especially well for us in attracting Purple Finch. 
The principle bait after all, however, is Perserverance and constant 
watchfulness. 
