64 
OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 250 
most frequent as a migrant. It may possibly breed in a few 
localities, but no nests have been reported in recent years. The 
habits of this duck are different from any other. It frequents pro¬ 
tected pools and streams, in or near woodland. Its food comprises 
many forms of aquatic life, both animal and vegetable, besides which, 
insects, beech-nuts, acorns, etc., are taken in woodland. It perches 
in trees and nests in cavities of trees, sometimes at a considerable 
distance from water. This valuable and beautiful species is rapidly 
nearing extinction. 
CANVAS-BACK, Marila valisineria (Wils.) 
Because of its finely flavored flesh, especially while feeding on 
wild celery, this species has probably been more persistently hunted 
than any other duck. It is now a rare bird in the state. 
LESSER SCAUP DUCK, Marila affinis (Eyt.) 
Of all our ducks, this species is probably the most numerous. 
It occurs, during the migrations, in flocks composed of a few indi¬ 
viduals to more than a hundred. They are wary of man, except 
where protected. This little duck may breed in certain localities in 
the state. 
CANADA GOOSE, Branta canadensis canadensis (Linn.) 
This species is commonly known as the Wild Goose, but is no 
longer the abundant species it once was in Ohio. It occurs in the 
north as an irregular migrant, and locally in the southern part as a 
winter resident. 
SWANS 
Two species of swans occur in the state, as rare and irregular 
migrants—the Whistling Swan and the Trumpeter Swan. The latter 
is the larger and less frequent of the two. Both were much prized 
as table birds in former years when they were abundant. It is a 
deplorable fact that these noble birds cannot alight on the waters of 
lakes or streams, within the limits of populated territory, without 
being molested. The occurrence of these or of any other large or 
unusual birds in a neighborhood is almost certain to immediately 
draw forth all the hunters and guns in the vicinity, and small is the 
chance that the unoffending visitors will escape with their lives. 
MIGRATION RECORD, 1901-1911 INCLUSIVE 
The Junior writer’s migration records, covering a period of 11 
years, are given in the subsequent tables. Because he was not 
always able to be in the field at the right time, the dates have, in a 
few instances, resulted somewhat irregularly, but a fair average can 
be calculated in most cases. 
