90 
ANSERIFORMES 
Field Marks, The species is too rare to be distinguished on sight, except the male 
with its creamy cap and plainly red head. 
Distribution, Northern part of eastern hemisphere. Occasional records in eastern 
United States and on the west coast north as far as Wrangell Island. In western Canada 
the only records have been from southern Vancouver Island. One of the interesting 
developments from bird-banding is the demonstration that the Occasional European 
Widgeon that occurs on our east coast originates in Iceland and is not American raised. 
Figure 133 
Speckled axillars of 
European Widgeon; 
scale, $. 
Figure 134 
Plain axillars of Bald- 
pate; scale, J. 
Figure 135 
Wing of Baldpate; scale, }. 
137. Baldpate. American widgeon, le canard siffleur d’am£rique. Mareca 
americana. L, 19. Plate VII A. 
Distinctions. The adult male with its white cap, from which the vernacular name is 
derived, and the pinky, vinaceous breast and flanks, is distinctive enough. In all plumages 
may be known from any other common duck by the white upperwing-coverts, some rather 
patchy, backed by a velvety black speculum (Figure 135, compare with 131). No red on 
wings as in the Gadwall. From the European Widgeon it may be distinguished in all 
plumages by its spotless or nearly immaculate axillars (Figure 134, compare with 133). 
Field Marks. The male’s white cap, vinaceous breast and flanks, and white patch on 
fore-wing. Both sexes when flying show a white patch on the forepart instead of rear 
edge of wing. 
Nesting, On the ground in grass or under bushes. 
Distribidion. Ranges over nearly all of Canada. More common west than east of 
the Great Lakes. Breeds north to the mouth of the Mackenzie. 
“This is a duck more characteristic of the extreme west, being much 
better known on the coast waters than on the prairies. It is a hardy 
species, wintering well northward, a bird of large waters rather than of 
sloughs and ponds. Large flocks of these handsome birds, their flashing 
white wing patches showing even at a distance, are a common sight to the 
coastal sportsman. Though a prolific breeder and one of the most numer- 
ous of western ducks it loses some popularity on account of its rather small 
size. Its flesh, however, ranks high and it apparently never becomes con- 
taminated by fish-eating. It is one of the first of the coast ducks to mate 
and turn north in spring.” 
143, Pintail, springtail. sprig, le canard pilet. Dafila acuta. L, 28. Plate 
VII B. A large-sized duck, of striking coloration, with long, slender neck and long, pro- 
jecting centre tail feathers. 
Distinctions. High plumage males are unmistakable. Females and juvenile males are 
like the female Mallard in general coloration, but without the prominent white-bordered 
speculum. Instead, the speculum is dull bronze, bordered in front by a narrow cinna- 
mon line and behind by a narrow one of white. 
Field Marks. In any plumage, even when without the long “spring tail” or “sprig- 
tail,” the long neck and wings and general slenderness of this bird are recognizable in any 
attitude, in addition the striking colour pattern of the male or the absence of strong 
speculum of female, make the best recognition mark of the species. 
