SOME OHIO BIRDS 
63 
food from the waves while on the wing, and the bill is held at right- 
angles to the body while flying. The Herring Gull, Bonaparte Gull 
and the Common Tern are the species of most frequent occurrence. 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS 
The order known as the Anseres, comprising Ducks, Geese and 
Swans, includes some of our commonestandbest known water birds, 
many of which are highly prized alike by sportsman and epicure. 
The food of the group, with the exception of the Mergansers, which 
feed on fish, is chiefly vegetable, both aquatic and other plants being 
eaten, weed seeds forming a considerable proportion. Between 
thirty-five and forty species of Ducks, Geese and Swans occur 
within the boundaries of the state, quite a number of which are rare 
or of local distribution. 
MALLARD, Anas platyrhy?ichos (Linn.) 
This is the best known of our ducks, occurring commonly dur¬ 
ing the migrations and breeding sparingly where conditions per¬ 
mit. It is among the earlier ducks to arrive in the spring, generally 
reaching us in March, following the breaking up of the ice. The 
common domesticated ducks originated from this species. 
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, Nettion carolinense { Glem.) 
The smallest of the ducks and not uncommon as a migrant, 
occurring at the same time as the preceding species. Much of its 
feeding is done on land. 
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, Ppuerquedula discors (Linn.) 
This species is slightly larger and less hardy than the preced¬ 
ing. It is among the latest of the migrating ducks, appearing about 
the middle of April and returns south early. Pairs are most com¬ 
monly seen in spring, but it is more abundant in the fall, occurring 
in small flocks. 
PIN-TAIL, Dafila acuta (Linn) 
A common spring and fall migrant, wintering in the southern 
portion. They are most numerous in the fall, but the flocks at this 
season are much smaller than in the spring. They feed in the 
shallow water by standing on their heads, searching the mud of the 
bottom, their tails alone being visible. The flesh is of excellent 
flavor and, because of this, the species is much sought by. hunters; 
consequently this duck is extremely wary of man. 
WOOD DUCK, Aix sponsa (Linn.) 
The most beautiful of American ducks, and is probably not sur¬ 
passed in brilliancy of plumage by any known. It was once the 
most abundant breeding species in the state, but is now a rare bird, 
