64 
BIENNAL REPORT 
The Gadwall or Gray Duck was once one of our most abundant prairie 
ducks but being an upland breeder the conversion of the prairies into farms has 
probably played an important part in bringing about its present scarcity. 
The Green-winged Teal is now apparently an uncommon breeding bird in 
Minnesota though early accounts would indicate that it formerly bred here in con¬ 
siderable numbers. 
There is a single reliable record of the Cinnamon Teal’s having been taken in 
the state, in Cottonwood County. 
Diving or Sea Ducks. 
There are seven species of ducks belonging to this group that occur regularly 
and more or less commonly in Minnesota, and five others that are less frequent 
or accidental. Of these, four only are of special importance as game birds—the 
Canvas-back, the Redhead, the Lesser Scaup or Blue-bill and the Ring-necked 
Duck. By many of our duck hunters the latter species is erroneously called the 
Black Duck when in full plumage and confused when immature with the Blue-bills. 
The white patch in the wing of the Blue-bill readily distinguishes it from the 
Ring-neck, in which the wing-patch is gray. These four species of ducks formerly 
bred in large numbers in all suitable places throughout the state, the Ring-neck 
being one of the very commonest nesting ducks. All still breed though in greatly 
reduced numbers and it is probable that the Canvas-back has about reached ex¬ 
tinction as a summer resident. Since they are still so numerous spring and fall, is it 
not possible that they, as well as other species, may return to their old homes 
again if these can be left undisturbed by drainage operations and if the now more 
efficient protective laws can be fully enforced? 
The Greater Scaup or Big Blue-bill is not common in this region and appar¬ 
ently occurs chiefly, or only, as a migrant. It is more of a sea going duck than the 
Lesser Scaup, where it feeds largely upon the beds of “scalps” or scallops, whence 
the name Scaup. 
The Golden-eye or Whistle-wing occurs in the southern part of the state as an 
early spring and late fall migrant, appearing sometimes on large, deep-water 
lakes in considerable flocks but as its flesh is not especially palatable it is not much 
sought after. It remains through the winter where there is open water particularly 
on Lake Superior and the larger streams. Many nest in the northern part of the 
state, making use of hollow trees after the fashion of the Buffle-head, the Wood 
Duck and the Hooded Merganser. The Buffle-head, Butter-ball or Spirit Duck 
is also an early and late comer southward but breeds further north, frequents 
open water and is not often shot. The curious little Ruddy Duck was untii recently 
a very common summer resident in the western part of the state at such places 
as Heron Lake but of late it has rapidly disappeared for some inexplicable reason. 
It was never killed in any considerable numbers, raised large broods and was 
really abundant in most of the large prairie lakes, so why it should have suddenly 
become so scarce in its old haunts is not quite clear. 
Of the three species of Scoters, normally sea ducks, one, the White-winged 
Scoter, occurs quite regularly and sometimes appears along the western border 
of the state in flocks of considerable size. It is a large heavy duck but its flesh 
is not desirable for the table. The other two species, the American or Black 
