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Range (General distribution)

Of general distribution from northern South America to the fur countries, breeding largely northward, but locally throughout its range (Granada, Wells; Guatemala, Salvin; Cuba, Gundlach; Cape Cod, Miller). Washington, common W. V., Sept. to Apl. Long Island, irregular T. V. Sing Sing, common T..V., Mch. 14 to Apl. 6; Oct. 5 to Oct. 28. Cambridge, very common in Oct. and Nov.

Nest, in a slough or marshy place, generally on a mass of floating vegetation. Eggs, six to ten, creamy or buffy white, 2.50 × 1.80. "When rising from the water, it runs on the surface for some dis tance, and generally against the wind. If it can not command a fair open space for flight, it will dive, using its tail either as a rudder or as a paddle in a vertical motion, and will hide itself away among the grass and sedges. When on the wing, it flies low along the surface of the water, with a rapid beat of its broad wings, making a short, plump figure quite uncommon for a Duck; and it generally flies quite a distance before alighting" (Langille). In swimming, the tail is sometimes held erect at right angles to the body.

The MASKED DUCK (168. Nomonyx dominicus) is a tropical species of rare occurrence in North America. Single specimens have been taken in Wisconsin, New York, and near Cambridge, Mass.