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Remarks (This species is sometimes)

This species is sometimes mistaken for the Redhead, to which it bears a general resemblance. The males of the two species may be distinguished (1) by the color of the head and neck, which is rufous in the Red- SEA DUCKS. head and rufous-brown in the Canvasback; (2) by the generally blackish chin and crown of the Canvasback, these parts in the Redhead being colored like the rest of the head; (3) by the difference in the markings of the back, wing-coverts, and sides; and (4) by the difference in the size and shape of the bill, as shown by the accompanying measurements. The females of the two species may be at once distinguished by the color of the back, which in the Canvasback is finely barred with wavy white lines, markings which do not appear on the back of the female Redhead.

Range.-North America; breeds only in the interior, from Minnesota to the Arctic Circle; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Delaware; winters from the Chesapeake Bay to the Greater Antilles.

Oct.

Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, rare T. V. Sing Sing, rare T. V., Nest, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Eggs, six to ten, buffy white with a bluish tinge, 2.40 × 1.70.

There's much in a name. The reputation of the Canvasback, among gourmands, is too firmly established to be questioned; but, given the same chef, and half a dozen of our Ducks can be made to do duty for this favorite of epicures. In some parts of the west, where folks have a way of thinking for themselves, the Canvasback is frankly placed second to his cousin the Redhead.

The Canvasback is at its best when the bird has been for some time feeding on wild celery-a diet which equally improves the flesh of other species. 148. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. AM. SCAUP DUCK; GREATER SCAUP DUCK; BROADBILL; BLUEBILL; BLACKHEAD. Ad. 8. - Head, neck, breast, and upper back black, the top and sides of the head with generally greenish reflections; back and scapulars with wavy black and white bars; speculum white; upper and under tail-coverts black; belly white; lower belly strongly and sides faintly marked with wavy black bars. Ad. 2.- Region around the base of the bill white; head, neck, breast, and upper back umber, margined with ochraceous on the breast; back and scapulars fuscousbrown; sides dark grayish brown, both generally marked with fine, wavy bars of white; speculum and belly white. & L., 18.50; W., 8.75; Tar., 1.40; B., 1.65; greatest width of B., 1.00. 9 L., 1750; W., 8-25; Tar., 1·36; B., 1.65; greatest width of B., 1.00.

Range.-North America; breeds in the interior rarely from Minnesota and regularly from Manitoba northward to Alaska; reported on the Atlantic from as far north as Greenland, but not known to breed and not common north of Massachusetts; winters from Long Island to northern South America. Washington, rather common W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Sept. 25 to May 1, some winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 22 to Apl. 13; Oct. 4 to Dec. 3.* * The presence or absence of Ducks in the winter depends upon whether the river is frozen or open.

SEA DUCKS.

Nest, on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. Eggs, six to ten, pale olive-buff, 2.54 x 1.71.

This is one of our most common Bay Ducks. While with us it seems to prefer salt and brackish water. It feeds largely on mollusks, which it obtains by diving. Its note is said to be a discordant scaup. 149. Aythya affinis (Eyt.). LESSER SCAUP DUCK; LITTLE BLACK- HEAD; LITTLE BLUEBILL; CREEK BROADBILL. Ad. 8.-Similar to the preceding species but smaller, the head, as a rule, glossed with purplish instead of greenish, and the flanks strongly instead of faintly marked with wavy black bars. Ad. .-Similar to the 0+ of the preceding species, but smaller. 8 L., 16.50; W., 8.00; Tar., 1.35; B., 1.60; greatest width of B., 95. & L., 16.50; W., 7-60; Tar., 1.30; B., 1.55; greatest width of B., 90.