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Range (North America breeds) (IV)

North America; breeds from California and Minnesota northward to the fur countries; rare on the North Atlantic coast, where it has been found breeding only once (Calais, Me.); winters from Virginia southward to Cuba and Jamaica.

Washington, common W. V. Long Island, T. V. in irregular numbers, Oct. 1 to Apl. 15, few W. V. Sing Sing, common T. V., Apl. 1 to Apl. 24; Oct. 12 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, casual; one instance, Oct. Nest, on the ground in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Eggs, six to twelve, buffy white, 2.40 × 1.70.

The Ducks of the genus Aythya possess to some extent the habits of both the River Ducks and true Sea Ducks. They are divers in deep water, but along the shores or in shallow water they are also "dabblers." On our coasts the Redhead is a Bay Duck, and feeds in salt and brackish water. 147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). CANVASBACK. Ad. 8.-Head and neck rufous-brown, the chin and crown generally blackish; breast and upper back black; rest of the back and generally wing-coverts finely barred with wavy lines of black and white, the white lines the wider; belly white; lower belly more or less finely barred with black; upper and under tail-coverts black; sides white, much less lightly barred with wavy black lines than the back, or even entirely without bars. Ad. q. - Head, neck, upper breast, and upper back cinnamon, the throat lighter, and, with the front parts of the head, more or less washed with rufous; back grayish brown, the feathers more or less barred with wavy white lines; belly white or grayish white; sides the same or grayish brown, generally marked like the back. L., 21.00; W., 9.00; Tar., 1.60; B., 2.40.