128 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVI 
keep the water open. The spring migration begins early in March, and the 
fall migration lasts until December 1, or even later. Nesting begins in late 
April and tlie first downy young may be seen early in June. (See fig. 42.) 
Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall. Summer resident. Not very com- 
mon, but occurs and nests regularly. Birds are seen Avith broods of young in 
June and July. Migration date: April .17, 1912. 
Mareca americana. Baldpate. Summer resident, lu'eeding commonly 
about the alkaline ponds. Very abundant in migrations. Probably nests a 
little later than the Mallard and GadAvall. The birds occur in small flocks in 
1 he spring migrations until May, whereas the above species are usually in pairs 
at this season. Migration dates: April 17, 1912, and November 28, 1912. 
Nettion carolinense. Green-Avinged Teal. Common migrant and rather 
rare summer resident. Migration date : April 16, 1912. On December 27, 
1912, 1 secured a crippled bird that Avas Avintering on a small spring-hole near 
(lioteau. The Aving of this bird had been broken for a long time and had par- 
tially healed over, but not in a Avay to enable it to fly. 
Querquedula discors. Blue-winged Teal. Quite common summer resi- 
dent, particularly about the edges of ponds that are overgroAvn Avith rushes. 
Young seen near Choteau July 7, 1912. 
Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. Common summer resident. Very abun- 
dant in migrations. Occurs in large flocks on the alkaline ponds in fall. Mi- 
gation dates: March 24, 1912, and November 9, 1912. 
Dafila acuta. Pintail. Summer resident and migrant. Breeds in simi- 
lar places to the Mallard, but much less commonly. I examined a drake of 
this species that was shot by a hunter near Choteau, December 27, 1912. 
Marila americana. Redhead. ObserA^ed tAviee in migrations : September 
13, 1911, and April 17, 1912. 
Marila valisineria. CanAmsback. Common migrant on the alkali lakes, 
remaining in fall until these lakes freeze over. Migration dates: April 17, 
1912, and November 24, 1912. 
Marila affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. Common summer resident. Breeds 
in the Aueinity of the alkaline ponds. Migration date : May 1, 1912. 
Clangula clangula americana. Golden-eye. Common migrant and Avin- 
ter resident. Abundant on the alkaline lakes in migrations, and along the 
rivers all Avinter. Seen in spring up to May 3, 1912, and not seen in fall until 
November 24, 1912. 
Charitonetta albeola. Bufflehead. Common migrant on the alkaline 
ponds. Seen in spring from April 17 to May 14, 1912, and in fall from Novem- 
ber 9 to 24, 1912. 
Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. Rare summer resident in 
the mountains. I observed several birds on Birch Creek from May 30 to June 
3, 1912, and belieA^e the birds Avere breeding there but could not find a nest. 
They frequented the rapids and SAviftest parts of the streams, evidently living 
largely on fish. 
Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus. Snow Goose. Abundant migrant on the 
alkaline ponds and lakes. Occurs in large flocks, often numbering thousands. 
Flocks frequently light in the fields, apparently exhausted from long flight, 
and are then often killed Avith sticks before they can rise and fly. The people 
commonly call them “brant”. Migration dates: April 9 to 23, 1912, October 
24 to 31, 1911, and NoA^ember 9 to 24, 1912. 
