HARVARD UNIVERSITY Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology \ ' )J THE WATER BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. VOL. II. it i$lcmotrs of tljc f^usfum of (iTomparatibc Soologg AT IIAIIVARD COLLEGE. Vol. XIII. THE WAT EE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. BY S. F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, AND R. RIDGWAY. ISSUED IN CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CALIFORNIA. J. D. WllITiSEr, State Geologist. Volume XL BOSTON: LITTLE, BROAVN, AND COMPANY 1884. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, By J. D. WuiTNKY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. CONTENTS. Page Order AKSERES {coyitlnued from Volume I.) 1-125 Sub-Family AxATixiE. The Ducks 1-125 Order STEGANOPODES 120-190 Family Fregatid.e. The Frigate Pelicans 126-131 Family Pelecanid^. The Pelicans 132-143 Family Phalacrocoracid^. The Cormorants 144-1G6 Family PLOTiDiE. The Anhingas 166-170 Family Sulid.e. The Gannets 170-184 Family Phaethontid.e. The Tropic Birds 185-190 Order LONGIPEXNES 191-343 Family RHyNCHOPiD.ii;. The Skimmers 191-196 Family Larid.^^. The Gulls and Terns 196-327 Family Stercorariid^. The Skuas and Jaegers .... 328-343 Order TUBI:N^AKES . 344-419 Family Diomedeid^. The Albatrosses 345-361 Family Prooellariid^. The Petrels 362-419 Sub-Family Procellariix.t2 363-412 Sub-Family OcEANiTiNiE 412-419 Order PYGOPODES 420-534 Family Podicipid^. The Grebes 421-444 Family Urinatorid.^. The Loons 444-461 Family Alcid.^. The Auks 461-534 THE WATER BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. Oedeb ANSERES. THE LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS. {Continued.) Genus NETTION, Kaup. Nettion, Kaup, Entwick. 1829, 95, 196 (type, Anas crccca, Linn. ). Querquedula, Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, et AucT. var. (not of Stephens, 1824, and subsequent authors). Char. Bill shorter than the head, narrow, depressed (except at base), the edges parallel ; tarsus shorter than the bill or middle toe ; nape with a small mane-like tuft ; rectrices more or less acuminate, the middle pair longest. This genus is very readily distinguished from Querquedula by the very different form of the bill, r:^^^^^^^^&i^m^.^^^ iV. carolinensis. which is more like that of Dafila, but much smaller, being much more depressed terminally, and pro- portionally deeper through the base than in Querquedula ; while the lower edge or maxillary tomium is either gently convex throughout (as in the southern species), or straight anteriorly and decid- VOL. II. — 1 2 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AXSERES. edly convex posteriorly (as in the northern forms) ; the hiniellie Ijeing thus completely hidden. In Querquedula, on the other hand, the terminal portion of the tomiiun is strongly convex, and the posterior half cut away, as it were, so as to fully expose the lamellae. Through the forms occurring in tlie southern hemisphere,^ this genus leads directly to Fmcilonetta, which in turn is intermediate between Nettion and Dafila. The two species of Xdtion occurring in the northern hemisphere are much alike, the males lieiiig very handsome in jduniage ; tliey may be distinguislied as hdlows : — Com. Char. Adult males : Head and upper half of the neck chestnut-rufous, marked with a large patch of metallic green on each side the head, behind the eye ; chin and upper ])art of throat N', crecca. dull black ; nuchal tuft blue-black ; lower part of the neck, uj^i^er part of the back, scapulars, and lateral parts of the body l)eneatli, beautifully undulated with black and white ; outer scapulars markitd with black and white ; speculum bright metallic green, the lower feathers Idack, tipped with white ; crissuni black centrally, creamy buff laterally. Adult females : Wing, only, as in the males ; elsewhere varied with dusky and brownish white, the former prevailing above, tlie latter beneath ; the abdomen nearly or quite immaculate. 1. N. carolinensis. A broad white bar across side of breast, before the wing ; inner webs of outer scapulaivs vermiculated with dusky and brownish Avhite, the outer webs marked with a longitudinal lanceolate spot of black, bordered internally with a white line. Ilah. Xnrth America generally. 2. N. crecca. No white bar on side of l)reast ; inner web of outer scapulars wholly, and outer web partly, white ; exposed surface of outer webs almost entirely black ; undula- tions of sides, etc., much coarser than in N. carolinensis. Hah. Palaarctic Region, occa- sional in Eastern North America. Nettion carolinensis. THE AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Anas crecca, var. Fokst. Philos. Trnns. LXII. 1772, 383, 419. Anus (Boschas) crecca, var. Sw. & I!icn. F. B. A. II. 1831, 443. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 400. Anas crecca, "LiNX." WiLs. Am. Oni. VIII. 1814, 101, pi. GO, fig. 1 (not of Linn.). — Auu. Oin. Biog. III. 1835, 218 ; V. 183!), 616, pi. 228. Anas carolmeiisis, Gmel. S. N. 1. ii. 1788, 533. — Aud. Synop. 1839, 281 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 281, pi. 392. ^ Among these may be mentioned, as very close to true Nettion, hut approaching Pcecilonetta in the form of the hill and the greater elongation and acumination of the scapulars, tertials, and rectrices, Anas flavirostris, Vieili.., of South ATiiciicn, ami " Querquedula'' Eatoni, Shaiipk, of Kerguelen Island. ANATIN/E - THE DUCKS — NETTION. 3 Qucrquedida carolinensis, Stevhes?, Shaw's Geii. Zool. XII. ii. 1824, 128. — CouES, Key, 1872, 287 , Check List, 1873, no. 495 ; 2il eel. 1882, no. 715 ; B. N. W. 1874, 565. Ndtlon carolincnsls, Baiud, Y>. N. Am. 1858, 777; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 579. — Ridgw. Nom N. Am. B. 1881, no. 612. Anas americana, Vieill. Enc. Muth. 1823, 155. " Anas sijlvatica, Vieill.?" Hab. North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the United States, migrating south as far as Honduras and Cuba. Greenland. Adult male : Head and neck rich chestnut-rufous, inclosing a broad patch of soft dark metallic green on each side of the occiput, from the eye (wliich it surrounds) down the sides of the nape, where the two areas of the opposite sides touch a short nuchal crest of bluish-black. The green patch bordered anteriorly and beneath by a yellowish white line, and a less distinct line of the '"'"- """«'t&:7^ same bordering the base of the upper mandible, extending thence back to, and indistinctly follow- ing, for a short distance, the upper anterior portion of the green patch. Chin and ui)per part of the throat dull black. Front of the jugulum deep pinkish cream-color, with roundish and transversely ovate spots of black. Collar round the lower neck, sides of the jugulum, sides, and flanks, very delicately and beautifully undulated with black upon a white ground ; outer scapulars similarly waved. Sides of the breast with a large transverse bar of plain white. Crissum rich deep cream- color, bounded anteriorly, and divided medially, with velvety black ; post-femoral region waved like the flanks ; rest of lower parts plain white, sometimes tinged with cream-color. Back, scapu- lars, rump, wing-coverts, primaries, and tail, plain cinereous. Outer row of scapulars with their outer webs about half velvety black boidered interiorly witli a white line. Last row of coverts broadly tipped with deep ochraceous ; speculum opacjue black, narrowly tipped with white, the four or five upper feathers with their outer webs richly brilliant soft metallic green, varying from golden to violaceous, according to the light. Bill black ; iris brown ; feet light fleshy (horn-color when dried). Adult female: Wing as in the male, but duller. Alwve, cinereous-dusky, variegated with edgings and transverse bars of ochraceous-white. Ground-color of the head, neck, and lower parts, dingy whitish, more or less tinged with ochraceous ; head and neck .speckled with dusky, the spots enlarged and aggregated on the pileura, so as to form tlie prevailing color, and also along 4 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. the upper border of the ear-coverts, producing a stripe from the eye back. Jugulum, sides, and flanks more heavily spotted with dusky. Abdomen sometimes plain, Ijut usually speckled. Bill brownish ; iris brown ; feet pale brown (fleshy in life). Young male : Similar to the adult female, but entire abdomen and sides immaculate white. Downy yotuuj : Above, grayish brown, with a light grayish-buff" spot on each side the back, and a similar pair on the rump ; wings crossed near the end by a light grayish-buflf bar. Head, neck, and lower parts light dull buff ; crown and occiput covered by an elongated patch of grayish brown (darker than the back), this scarcely reaching the forehead, but continued down the nape to the bro\vn of the back ; a dusky streak behind the eye, not reaching to the occiput ; below the posterior end of this, an oblong spot of grayish brown. Total length, about 14 inches; extent 20.00 to 24.50; wing, 6.25-7.40; culraen, 1.40-1.60; tarsus, 1.25 ; middle toe, 1.. 30-1. 35. Many specimens, l)oth males and females, have the lower parts tinged with fern;ginous-orange, like the stain on the head of the Swans and White Geese. Sometimes this tinge pervades the whole under surfiice, and is occasionally so deep as to give the lower parts a uniform ferruginous aspect. Adult females usually have the abdomen and sides thickly spotted or flecked with brown, being thereby readily distinguished from the young males, which have the whole abdomen, etc., immac- ulate white. The common Green-winged Teal, .so closely allied with the Teal of Europe, has an extended distribution throughout North America. During the summer it is found in the extreme northern portions from Greenland to Alaska, and in the winter it extends its migrations to Mexico, Central America, and the West India Islands. Mr, Leylaud met with individuals of this species on the Ulua Eiver in Honduras. Mr. Dresser found it in Southern Texas, but it was not very common. In Western Mexico, according to the observations of Colonel Grayson, it is abundant from No- vember to March. It was seen in flocks, although rarely, by Dr. Kennerly, in Chihuahua. It breeds at least as far south as latitude 42° N., as its nest has been taken in Southern Wisconsin, and it is said to breed in Western Iowa, and thence northward, in favorable situations, throughout the continent, as far north as the Arctic Ocean. Captain Bendire found this species a common summer resident in Eastern Oregon, where also it breeds, seeming to be more partial to the smaller mountain streams than to the large bodies of Avater in the valleys — at least during the seasons of reproduction. AXATIN.E — THE DUCKS — NETTION. 5 In the Aleutian Islands Mr. Dall states that he found it to be abundant in the winter, and to breed occasionally in Unalashka. The greater number of individuals migrate northward about the 1st of May. Mr. Bannister found this bird very common at St. Michael's and at Xulato, as well as on the Yukon Eiver generally. Accord- ing to Mr. Dall, it is one of the earliest comers to that region, and one of the first to lay. He obtained its eggs from a nest of dry grass in a sedge tussock about jNIay 20. Except while migrating this bird appeared to be solitary in its habits. Mv. Dall regards it as far superior to any other Duck for the table. It was obtained from Sitka and Kadiak by Mr. Bischoff, and is nowhere rare in any part of the Yukon Region. Richardson speaks of it as being abundant even as far north as the extremity of the continent, both in the wooded and in the barren districts. Captain Blakiston obtained it on the Saskatchewan, as well as Hudson's Bay ; and it was found by Mr. Bernard Ross common on the Mackenzie, to the Arctic Circle. Hearne states that it is found at Hudson's Bay in considerable numbers near the sea-coast, and is still more plen- tiful in the interior parts of that region, flying in such large flocks that he has often killed from twelve to fourteen of these birds at a single shot, and has seen both Indians and English kill a much larger number of them. At their first arrival they are usually quite poor, although even then they are generally esteemed good eating. He adds that this species is far more prolific than any of the Ducks resorting to Hudson's Bay, and that he has seen the old ones swimming at the head of seventeen young when the latter were not much larger than walnuts. This Duck remains in that region as long as the season will permit, and some were killed by Hearne, in 1775, on the w^ay from Cumberland House to York Fort, in the rivers he and his party passed through, as late as the 20th of October. At that time the birds were a perfect mass of fat, and their delicate white flesli was regarded as a great luxury. The Green-winged Teal is found in even greater abundance on the Pacific than on the Atlantic coast. Mr. E. Browne gives it as one of the common birds of Vancouver Island. Mr. E. Adams (" Ibis," 1878) mentions that this species was present, but not numerous, about St. Michael's. A few pairs were generally to be found near the most grassy of the lakes, where they were continually playing about, ducking their heads, and catching insects from the surface of the water. They were late in arriving, none coming before the 20th of May, but remained to breed. Their name in the Eski dialect is Ting-a-zo-meok. According to Dr. Cooper, during the wet season it migrates throughout the entire State of California, appearing on every little pool and stream in large flocks, especially toward the north. It remains throughout the winter as far north as Puget Sound, and also occurs all the way from there to Mexico. It is much less timid than the larger species, and, congregating closely together, often furnishes to the sportsman a fine supply of game, while its flesh is as good as that of most other kinds, and is, indeed, by some preferred to all others. According to Dr. Xewberry this Duck breeds in the mountains of Oregon, although he did not succeed in finding its nest. Mr. J. A. Allen met with it near Fort Hays, in Western Kansas, in May. He after- Avard noticed it in great numbers in the valley of Salt Lake. Dr. Cooper also found it common in St. Mary's Valley, Montana, in August. It probably breeds among the neighboring mountains. In its migrations, both in the fall and spring, it is abundant througliout NeAV England. In the fall it is common on the coast, and on the inland waters late in October, In open winters a few of these birds remain nearly throughout the season. 6 LAMELLIKOSTKAL SWIM.MER.S — ANSERES. Ill Long Island, according to Girand, many postpone their departure until quite late in the winter. Associated usually in flocks, they frequent the streams and ponds, where they feed on insects and tender plants. In the earlier parts of the season they sometimes visit the ponds on the beach, although they more generally confine them- selves to creeks and mill-ponds. At the South — Avhere during the winter they are very abundant — they resort to the rice-fields in company with the Mallard. Their flesh is very highly esteemed, being tender and juicy, and always commands a high price in the markets of large cities. This Duck is an occasional autumnal visitant in Bermuda, where, however, it is much more common in some years than in others. It is also spoken of by Dr. Bryant as being common in the Bahamas. It feeds much at night, as indeed most of the fresh-water Ducks do when they cannot with safety seek their food along the shores by day. They live on plants, seeds, and insects. In autumn the males usually keep in separate flocks from the females and young. Their notes are rather faint and piping, and their wings make a loud whistling during flight. Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding near Fort Anderson. The nest was composed of feathers and down, and placed in a depression on a dry piece of ground. Mr. Robert Kennicott, in his notes on this species, states that it is very rare on the Upper Yukon River, although he found it abundant in Oregon and in Washington Territory, and throughout British America as far north as latitude 70° ; but he did not see it anywhere in the Mackenzie Region in any considerable abundance. As it is more common in the Atlantic States than in the valley of the Mississippi, the main body breed more toward the northeast, and breed beyond the limits of the United States in the region of Hudson's Bay. Though arriving in this country among the earliest of the migrating Ducks, this species is quite late in leaving the Yukon and the Mackenzie. Mr. Kennicott saw it October 2 at Fort Liard. The nests found by him were in nearly open ground, among moss, and generally far from water. In one instance he saw the nest of this Duck at the foot of a small spruce in a mossy, half-barren, small dry plain, and at least forty rods from Avater. This nest Avas a simple depression in the moss, but thickly lined with down, and well protected by the overhanging branches of the spruce. The feinale fluttered slowly off along the ground at his approach, and the nest was found to contain eight eggs. According to Mr. Dall nests of this species frequently have from sixteen to eighteen eggs. Audubon says that the food of the Green-winged Teal consists principally of the seeds of grasses — which are collected when floating, or while still adhering to their stalks — small acorns, fallen grapes or berries, as well as aquatic insects, worms, and small snails. It is much more particular in the selection of its food than are most Ducks, and its flesh is therefore delicious, and probably better than that of any other of the Duck tribe. AuduVjon adds that when this bird has fed on wild oats at Green Bay, or soaked rice in the fields of Georgia or Carolina, it is much superior to the Canvas-back in tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. On land it moves Avith more grace and ease than any other species except the Wood Duck, and it can run Avith considerable speed Avithout its feet becoming entan- gled. In the Avater also it moves Avith great ease and rapidity, and on the Aving it is one of the SAviftest of its tribe. It rises from the Avater Avith a single spring, and so SAviftly that it can only be hit by a A^ery expert marksman ; and it also dives readily Avhen Avounded. This is a fresh-Avater bird, and it is very rarely met Avith near the sea. Its migrations are over the land, and not along the sea-shore. This Duck moA^es northward from Louisiana early in March, but remains nearly ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — NETTION. 7 a month later in the Carolinas, a few lingering on the Delaware until the first week in May. Mr. Audubon met with none of this species in Labrador. It is quite common in Southern Wisconsin, according to Mr. Kundien, arriving there early in the spring, and a few imdoubtedly remaining to breed. He has never with certainty met with its nest, but has found one which he supposed must have belonged to this species. The Green-winged Teal was found in abundance about Fort liesolution and Fort Yukon by Mr. Kennicott ; at Fort Eae by Mr. L. Clarke ; on the Yukon Eiver and in the Mackenzie River district by IVIr. J. Lockhart ; on the Porcupine Eiver by Mr. Jones ; at La Pierre House by Mr. libbiston ; on Big Island by Mr. Eeid, etc. Eggs of this species from Fort Simpson (Smithsonian Institution, Ko. 5034) are of a pure ivory white color. Three of these measure respectively, 1.80 by 1.30 inches, 1.85 by 1.35, and 1.75 by 1.30. Nettion crecca. THE EUROPEAN GREEN WINGED TEAL. Anas crecca, Liss. S. N. cd. 10, I. 1758, 126 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 204. Qaerqucdula crecca, Stkphens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. XII. ii. 1824, 146. — CouES, Key, 1872, 287; Check List, 1873, no. 494 ; ed. 2, 1882, no. 714 ; B. N. W. 1874, 566. Nettion crecca, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 778; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 580.— RiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 611. Qucrqucdida subcrccca ct crcccoidcs, Bkehm, V. D. 1831, 885, 886. Teal, Yaur. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 281, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 282, fig. Hab. Palsearctic Region ; occasional in Eastern North America. Sp. Char. Adult male: Similar to A"", rarolincnsis, but side of tlie breast without any white bar ; the outer scapulars with their inner webs creamy white, the forehead boidered on each side by a pale-buff line ; and the sides, back, etc., much more coarsely undulated. Adult female: Not distinguisbable with certainty from that of N. carolinensis ? Total length, about 14.00 inches; wing, 7.00-7.30; culmen, 1.45-1.50; tarsus, 1.10-1.25; middle toe, 1.25-1.30. 8 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. While unquestionabh^ distinct from N. carolinensis, the male being very easily separated, we have not been able, with our limited material, to discover tangible diti'erences between the females of the two species. The Common Teal of the Old World fauna is of irregvdar occurrence in Eastern North America. Several specimens have from time to time been taken in the vicin- ity of Kew York city, and others have been found in the New York market by Mr. J. G. Bell. It has also been taken occasionally in different parts of Greenland, accord- ing to the testimony of the elder Reiuhardt and of Holboll. It is also very common in Iceland. In the Palaearctic Region it is widely distributed, occurring, at different seasons, over nearly or quite every portion of that country. In Great Britain and in Ireland it is an early and a constant winter visitant, making its appearance about tlie end of September, and remaining until late in the spring, its numbers being recruited through the winter by additional arrivals from the northern parts of Europe. In the spring many remain in both islands, and breed in various places — some as far south as Suffolk in England, and others in Wales. In Northumberland, according to ]\Ir. Selby, the indigenous broods of the Teal seldom quit the immediate neighborhood of the place in which they were bred. This bird is quite abundant in Scotland, but less so on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It is widely and numerously dispersed all over Sweden and Norway, but is most plentiful in the northern portions during the breeding-season. It breeds in abun- dance all over Lapland and Northern Russia; and in the migrations is more or less common in all the countries of Europe, as well as of Northern Africa. It is included in the list of the birds of Asia, and is found in various parts of India, China, and Japan. According to Yarrell, the Teal bears confinement well ; and in the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, though restricted to a very small pond, with a margin of high and thick grass and some low shrubs, it has bred regularly for several seasons in succession. The eggs are white, tinged with buff, measuring 1.75 inches in length by 1.34 in breadth. The food of the Teal in its wild state consists of seeds, grasses, roots, water-plants, and various insects ; but in confinement it is best fed with grain. It breeds in the long rushy herbage about the edges of lakes, or in the boggy parts of the upland moors ; its nest, according to Selby, being formed of a large mass of decayed vegetable matter, with a lining of down and feathers, upon which eight or ten eggs usually rest — these in some instances, however, numbering as many as fifteen. In tlie cultivated regions of Lapland, where the Teal is very common, it breeds in all the mossy fields and bogs. Mr. Vernon Harcourt found it in Madeira ; and in the Azores Mr. Godman reports it as quite common, a few pairs breeding in the Island of Elores. It also occurs at Teneriffe and in the Canaries. A few of this species are supposed to breed in France and in the northern portions of Greece ; and Captain Shelley is confident that this bird breeds even in Egypt and Nubia. It occurs in Siberia as far to the east as Kamtschatka. According to the observations of Mr. Dresser, the Teal is more especially a fresh- water Duck, its presence on the salt water being something exceptional. In the day- time it frequents ponds, pools, or sheets of water in marshy countries, where the rank growth of flags or rushes affords it a shelter, and either sits motionless on the banks, or floats on the surface of the water. Toward the close of the day it becomes rest- ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — AIX. 9 less, and with the first shades of evening goes in quest of food, being essentially a night-feeding bird. In disposition it is gentle and affectionate, often evincing a fatal unwillingness to leave its wounded mate. The parent birds are always very solicit- ous about the safety of their young. Mr. St. John once overtook an old Teal with eight newly-hatched young ones crossing his path ; he got off his horse, lifted the little ones up, and carried them a short distance down the road to a ditch, the old bird constantly fluttering about him, within reach of his riding-whip. According to Kaumann, the Teal visits during the day the shallow shores among the weeds, in morasses or shallow pools, the bottoms of which it can reach without diving, frequenting in preference small pools, flooded meadows, marshes, and marshy ponds, and the swampy green shores of small streams. Toward evening it flies rest- lessly from pool to pool, hunting after worms or grain, and feeding on barley, oats, or the seeds of several species of Panicum. This bird is particularly fond of the seeds of certain rushes and grasses, and it visits the places where these grow in abundance, remaining there all night, and fattening on this nourishing food, so that its flesh becomes very delicate. While swimming on the water it may often be seen carefully picking up small articles of food, with neck and head held down or pushed forward. It feeds on all sorts of small worms, larvae, water-insects, small fresh-water shellfish, shoots of tender plants, seeds of many water-plants, and, very rarely, on spawn or tadjDoles. Mr. Dresser repeatedly procured the nests of this species in Northern Finland, where he found them on the ground, among the grass and usually under some low bush, by which they were concealed, often at a considerable distance from the water. The eggs — usually from eight to ten in number — are described as being oval in shape, measuring 1.77 inches in length by 1.30 in breadth, and pale yellowish-white in color. Only the females incubate ; but during the breeding-season the males are never very far distant from the sitting female. When the young are hatched, both male and female appear to be equally unremitting in their attention to them. Genus AIX, Boie, Aix, Boie, Isis, 1828, 329 (type, Anas gcclcriculata, Linn.). Dendroncssa, Swains. F. B. A. II. 1831, 446 (tj'pe, Anas sponsa, LiNN.). Lampronessa, Wagl. Isis, 1832, 282 (type, Anas sponsa, Linn.). Char. Bill small, much shorter than the head, all the lateral outlines gradually converging toward the end, the nail very large, broad, and prominent, forming the tip of the hill ; lamellaj completely hidden. Adult male with the head crested, the colors rich and varied, and the mark- ings elegant, tertials exceedingly broad, truncate. The above characters are framed so as to include the Chinese Mandarin Duck (Aix galericu- lata),^ the only species closely related to our Wood Duck {A. s2)onsa). This Duck is quite similar to the American species in style of coloration and in general appearance, but differs in so many points of external anatomy as to render it extremely doubtful whether the two species should be kept together in the same genus. They differ in form as follows : — A. galericulata. Feathering at the base of the maxilla extending farther forward on the side of the forehead than at the rictus, and forming a straight line between these two points ; depth of the bill through the base about equal to its width. Feathers of the sides of the 1 Aix galericulata. Tlie Mandai-iii Duck. Anas galericulata, Linn. S. IST. ed. 10, I. 1758, 128 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 206. Aix galericulata, Boie, Isis, 1828, 329. — Gray, Handl. III. 1871, 80, no. 10627. VOL. II. — 2 lU LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. neck much olcngated, farming a conspicnons ruff of soft, narrow feathers ; inner tertial with the shaft much bent, giving to the outer web a falcate form, the inner web widened into uu excessively broad, fan-like, or sail-like ornament. Tail short ; the rectrices shorter than the lower coverts, mucli longer than the upper. {Ai.r, BoiK.) A. sponsa. Feathering at the base of the maxilla extending much farther forward at the ric- tus than at the sides of the forehead, and forming a gently curved (convex) line between these points ; depth of the bill at the base much greater than the width, the upper base of the maxilla forming a deep angle extending a considerable distance on each side of the forehead ; feathers of the side of the head and neck short and \(d\ety; inner tertial of normal form, the shaft straight. Tail long (half as long as the wing), vaultcil, graduated, the feathers very broad, and extending far bt-yond the coverts. {Dcndruncssa, Swainson.) The nearest ally of Aix, so far as structure is concerned, in America, is the genus Cairina, represented by the well-known Muscovy Duck (C. moschata) ; but this differs in many important A . .s/jo«Aa. particulars, chief among whi( h are the very large stature and marked discrepancy in size between the sexes, and the brownish fleshy caruncles on the forehead and lores. The i)oints of siniilaiity are numerous, however, the tail being long, broad, graduated, and somewhat vaidtcd, the nail of the bill very large and broad, the nostrils large and open, the head crested, etc. Among the peculiarities of Cairina, as distinguished from other American genera, are the naked and caruncled face, the extremely lengthened secondaries, and relatively short greater wing-coverts. ANATINyE — THE DUCKS — AIX. 11 Ais sponsa. THE WOOD DUCK ; SUMMER DUCK. Aims sponsa, Linn. S. N. cd. 10, I. 1758, 128; eil. 12, I. 17GG, 207.— Wils. Am. Orii. VIll. 1814, 97, 1.1. 70, r. 3. - NUTT. Man. II. 1834, 394. —AuD. Orn. Biog. HI. 1835, 52 ; V. 1S30, 018, pi. 206 ; Syiiop. 1839, 280 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 271, pi. 391. Aix spoiisa' lioiE, Isis, 1826, 329. — B.\IUD, B. N. Am. 1858, 785 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 587.— CouES, Key, 1872, 288 ; Check List, 1873, uo. 499 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 719 ; B. N. \V. 1874, 571. — RiDGW. Nom. X. Am. B. 1881, no. C13. Dcndronessa sponsa, Sw. & lUrii. F. B. A. IL 1831, 446. Hab. Whole of temperate North America, north to tlie Fur Countries ; breeding throughout its range. Cuba. Accidental in Europe. Sp. Char. 'Adult male : Chin, throat, and foreneck pure •white, sending off hrterally two branches, — the first across the cheeks, back uf, and nearly to, the posterior angle of the eye, the second across the lower part of the neck, almost to the nape ; botli Ijars tapering toward the end, and somewhat curved or falcate in shape; a narrow white line begins at the point of the maxil- lary angle, and is continued back on each side of the crown, widening considerably on the side of the crest ; a second white line commences about lialf an incdi behind the eye, and nearly the same distance above the end of the white cheek-bar, and follows the lower edge of the crest, where consideraldy wider than anteriorly ; remainder of the head silky metallic green, violet, and purple, as follows : cheeks and space be- hind the white cheek bar soft viola- ceous-black, in the latter region extend- ing up to the lower wliite stripe, but in the anterior area bounded above and anteriorly by dark metallic green, the orbital region and anterior half of the crest between the white lines metallic- reddish purple ; forehead, crown, and posterior portion of the crest metallic green ; terminal portion of the crest, above, laterally, and beneath, dark me- tallic violet. Jugulum rich purplish chestnut, Mith a metallic-purple gloss lat- erally, the front and lower part marked with deltoid spots of white, growing larsjer toward the breast ; breast and ab- donien immaculate white ; sides of the breast with a broad white transverse bar, and a wide black one immediately be- hind it ; sides and flanks pale fulvous buft', delicately undulated with black, the broad feathers forming tbe upper border each beautifully marked with two black crescentic bars, inclosing a white one ; crissum dull black, fading gradually into dull rusty fulvous on the anal region. Back, lesser wing- coverts, and rump dark slaty brownish, very faintly glossed with bronze, the wing-coverts more slaty, the rump much darker, and gradually deepening into black toward the upper tail-coverts, which, with the tail, are deep black, the latter witli bronze-green reflection in certain lights ; a somewhat ovate patch (pointed posteriorly) of rich dark metallic maroon-purple on each side of the rump, immediately behhid the flanks ; just behind this, the two or three elongated lateral upper tail-coverts J: i^^^ fei#i? Male. 12 LAMELLIEOSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. are marked with a central stripe of deep fulvous, falling gracefully over the sides of the crissum. Tertials and posterior scapulars intense black, with rich velvety reflections of blue, green, and purple (cliiefly the first), in certain lights ; the longest tertial tipped with a wide bar of white, the next black to the end, the third much shorter, much narrower than the rest, pointed, and of a dull greenish-bronze color ; ^ middle and greater wing-coverts steel-blue, narrowly tipped with black ; secondaries (" speculum ") purplish steel-blue, narrowly tipped with white, and with a narrow sulj- tcrminal black bar ; primary coverts slate-color ; primaries with the exposed ends of the inner webs steel-blue, the ends of the outer webs grayish or glaucous- white, becoming slate-color basally ; lining of the wing spotted witli slate-color and white. Sagittate longitudinal space on the culnien and terminal " nail " of the bill deep polished black ; an oblong space of milk-white from nostril to the "nail ;" a line or border of gamboge-yellow following the basal outline of the 1jill; rest of bill dark purplish red, deepening into scarlet just behind the nostril. Iris bright orange-red; eye- lids deep vermilion ; legs and feet dull chrome-yellow, the webs and joints dusky. ^ Total length, about 19.00 inches ; extent, 29.00 ; wing, 9.00-9.50; culmen, 1.40 ; tarsus, 1.40 ; middle toe, 1.70. Adult female : Feathers bordering the base of the bill all round, a space on side of the head surroimding the eyes and extending back in a point toward the occiput, chin, and whole throat white ; remainder of the head plumbeous-gray, the crown and slight occipital crest glossed with metallic green ; jugulum brownish, the feathers marked cen- trally with fulvous-buff, those toward the breast tipped with white ; remaining lower parts white, the crissum r freckled with dusky grayish, the sides and flanks raw- umber brown, spotted with brownish- white ; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts hair-brown, glossed, in certain lights, with bronze and reddish purple ; tail brightly glossed with greenish bronze ; scapulars and tertials olivaceous-umber, richly glossed with reddish purple and bronze ; wings as in the adult male, but secondaries more widely tipped with white, and the four upper greater-coverts rich metallic reddish purple, more bluish in the centre, bronzy toward the edge and base, and narrowly tipped with velvety black. Bill dark plumbeous, the nail and longitudinal space on the culmen black; eyelids chrome-yellow; iris raw- Female. sienna ; legs and feet yellowish brown.^ Total lengtli, about 17.75 inches ; extent, 28.00 ; wing, 8.50 ; culmen, 1.30; tarsus, 1.35 ; middle toe, 1.60. Downy youiuj : Above, deep hair-brown, darker, or clove- brown, on the pileum and tail ; a dingy whitish bar along the posterior border of the arm-wing, and a roundish spot of the same on each side of the rump. Lores, suiierciliary stripe extending back nearly to the occiput, with lateral and under parts of the head generally, bright sulphury- buff, cros.sed by a wide stripe of blackish l)rowu extending from the occiput forward to the eye ; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brownish, this crossed on the flanks by an indistinct whitish bur.* ^ There is in this species a very strange and probalily altogetlier peculiar arrangement of the tertials, longer scapulars, and inner secondaries, both as to form and colors. Tlie exposed surface of the first appears continuously Intense black, as described above ; but upon lifting the feathers it is seen that between each two there is a concealed one of different form and color — narrow and pointed, instead of broad and nearly truncated, and dull bronzy, instead of deep black. Of these bronzy feathers, only tlie last (or the longest scapular) has its tip exposed ; the innermost secondary is tlie longest, and is entirely intense black to the tip ; the next is very nuicli (nearly an inch) shorter, entirely concealed, and also wholly black ; the third is little, if any, shorter than the first, but is marked at the end by a broad bar of pure white ; the fourth is a little shorter, without any white at the tip, and the outer web cliiefly reiklish purple ; this, like the third, has the outer web much widened terminally. - Fresh colors of a specimen killed October 19, at Mount Carmel, 111. 3 Fresh colors of a specimen kiHeil October 14, at l\Iount Carmel, 111. * Described from No. 84725, obtained at Mount Carmel, 111., July 17, 1871 ; R. Ridgway, coll. ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — AIX. l3 The Wood or Summer Duck is by far the most beautiful and graceful of all the North American Anatkhv, and indeed has no superior in any water. It is widely distributed over the North American continent from Southern Mexico to Hudson's Bay, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. It breeds abundantly from Texas to the British Provinces. Richardson states that the Wood Duck is quite rare in the Fur Countries^ and is never found farther north than the 54th parallel. Mr. ^Murray, however, men- tions finding it on the western side of Hudson's Bay, in a locality some six degrees farther north than this limit. It is, however, very rare north of latitude 50°. INIr. Kennicott mentions meeting with several small flocks of this species, in the latter part of September, north of the lied River, in Minnesota. They were feeding on the wild rice, in company with immense flocks of Mallards, Widgeon, and Teal. Mr. J. A. Allen met with this species in Northwestern Kansas, in May, in the neighbor- hood of Fort Hays, and he afterward foiind it quite numerous in the valley of Salt Lake in Utah. A single specimen only — a female — is recorded by Major Wedder- burn as having been taken in Bermuda, in December, 1846. According to the observations of Dr. Cooper, the W^ood Duck is abundant in Cali- fornia, and is a resident throughout the winter iu the lower districts. It migrates, in April, toward the north, and returns southward in October. Dr. Cooper is not sure that any go to the extreme southern part of that State, having never met with any there, but infers it as probable, inasmuch as they extend their migrations on the eastern coast as far south as the G-ulf of IMexico. According to Mr. Dresser, the Wood Duck is not merely a migratory visitor to Southern Texas, but is a resident, and not uncommon, near San Antonio during the summer. He obtained a fine male on the San Pedro, April 23, 1864, and one at Fort Stockton, April 19. According to Mr. Lawrence, Colonel Abert met with this species near Mazatlan, in Western Mexico. It is quite common in all the British Provinces, in New England, and probably in nearly all parts of the Union, even to Florida. It is given by Dr, Gund- lach as resident in and breeding in Cuba. Mr. Mcllwraith speaks of it as abundant near Hamilton, C. W., and in the West generally, and breeding all over the country. In Long Island, according to Giraud, the Wood Duck is very seldom seen on the open bay, preferring the still ponds and shady creeks, where it finds an abundant supply of its favorite food, Avhich consists chiefly of insects, seeds, and leaves of plants. In the fall it feeds freely on acorns, with which its stomach is often found to be stuffed full. It is known as the Summer Duck from its remaining through that season, and the Wood Duck by others, because it frequents wooded regions, and breeds in the hollow of trees. Its beautiful plumage and its quiet and gentle character make it quite a favorite in many parts of the country; and it is not unusual for persons residing in suitable situations to invite its presence by pre- paring boxes and other convenient places for it to nest in. The Wood Duck usually keeps in small parties, and moves about in pairs. It was formerly frequently taken in nets, and sent to market ; but this exterminating process is now discouraged, and in many States is forbidden by laAv. According to Wilson, the Wood Duck winters as far north as Virginia, and he states that he has met with individuals near Petersburg in January. In Penn- sylvania the female is said to begin to lay late in April, almost invariably in the hollows of trees, sometimes on a broken branch. Wilson says that this bird occa- sionally constructs its own nest of sticks — a statement not accepted by Audubon. It is not improbable that — like some other Ducks — this species may make use of the deserted nest of a Crow or a Hawk. 14 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWDBIERS — ANSERES. Wilson narrates that on the 18th of May he visited a tree containing a nest of a Summer Duck, on the banks of Tuckahoe River, New Jersey. Tliis tree stood on a declivity twenty yards from tlie water ; and in its hollow and broken top, about six feet down, on the soft decayed wood, were thirteen eggs covered with down from the mother's breast. The eggs were of an exact oval shape, the surface finely polished and tine grained, of a yellowish color, resembling old polished ivory, and measured 2.12 by l.oO inches. This tree had been occupied by the same pair, during the breeding- time, for four successive years. Wilson's informant, who lived within twenty yards of the tree, had seen the female, the spring i)receding, carry down thirteen young, one by one, in less than ten minutes. She caught them in her bill by the wing or the back of the neck, and landed them safely at the foot of the tree, and finally led them to the water. In evidence of the unwillingness of this species to abandon its breeding-place, Wilson mentions that under this tree a large sloop lay on the stocks, its deck not more than ten feet distant from the nest. Notwithstanding the pres- ence and noise of the workmen, the Ducks would not abandon their old home, but continued to pass out and in, as if no person were near. While the female was lay- ing, and afterward, when she was sitting, the male usually perched on an adjoining limb, and kept watch. The common note of the drake was peet-peet, and when, stand- ing sentinel, he apprehended danger, he made a noise not unlike the crowing of a young cock, oe-eek. The Wood Duck has been repeatedly tamed and partially domesticated, and of this statement there are many well-attested cases on record. My own attempts to effect this, however, have been unsuccessful, the old birds remaining Avild, and not breeding. Wilson was informed of an instance where a resident near Gunpowder Creek had a yard swarming with Wood Ducks which were completely domesticated. Audubon also gives an interesting account of his attempts to tame and domesticate this Duck, in which he so far succeeded that the birds bred Avithin his grounds, in boxes. The wild ducklings when taken were put in the bottom of empty flour- barrels ; but he soon found that they could raise themselves from the bottom to the brim by moving a few inches at a time up the side, lifting foot after foot, by means of their diminutive hooked claws, when they would tumble over, and run in eveiy direction. They fed freely on corn-meal soaked in water, and, as they grew, caught flies with great expertness. The Wood Duck is conspicuous for the swiftness, ease, and elegance of its flight. It can pass through woods, and among the branches of trees, with as much facility as the Wild Pigeon. While flying it is rarely ever heard to utter any cry. Audubon states that this Duck usually pairs about the first of March in Louisiana, l)ut sometimes a fortnight earlier. He has never known one to nest either on the ground or in the branches of trees. For three successive years a pair near Hender- son, Ky., occupied the abandoned hole of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The eggs were from six to fifteen in number, according to the age of the bird, and were placed on dry plants, feathers, and a scanty portion of down from the breast of the female. He also states that the latter is abandoned by the male as soon as she begins to incubate. This, however, is not in accordance with the statement of Wilson, and probably is not correct. In most of the nests examined by Audubon there were found quantities of feathers belonging to other species, including the Domestic Fowl, Wild Geese, and Turkeys. At an early age the young answer to the call of their jjarent with a mellow jiee-jjee-pee, often repeated. The cry of the mother is soft, low, and prolonged, resembling the syllables pjee-ee. In the summer of 1867 Mr. Boardman, of St. Stephen — as he informs me — was ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — FULIGULA. 15 told of some Ducks which had a nest in a hoUow in a high tree, and which were continually fighting. This having been noticed for several days, his curiosity was aroused, and he visited the locality, and became an eye-witness of a singular contest between a female Wood Duck and a Hooded jVIerganser. They were evidently con- tending for the possession of this nest, and neither would allow the other peaceful possession. The nest was found to contain eighteen eggs, two thirds of which were those of the Wood Duck. They were all fresh, as neither had been able to sit. AVhich was the original occupant and which the intruder, it was not possible to ascertain. Professor Kumlien informs me that this species, still common in Wisconsin, occa- sionally breeds at a considerable distance from the "water. One pair nested for a number of years in a burr-oak in a thicket about three quarters of a mile from the nearest water. The tree was very high, and the nest was also far from the ground. According to his observations, this Duck uses plenty of down in its nest. The eggs of the Wood Duck are of a rounded oval shape, of a clear ivory-white color when unsoiled, and measure from 2.05 to 2.10 inches in length by 1.55 in breadth. Genus FULIGULA, Stephens.^ Brant-.i, BoiE, Isis, 1822, 564 (type, Anas rufina, Pall.) ; not of Scopoli, 1769. Fidujida, Stephens, Gen. Zool. XII. 1821, 187 (type, Anas rujhm. Pall.). Kclta, Kaup, Nat. Syst. 1829, 102 (same type). Callichcn, BiiEiiM, Vcig. Deutselil. 1831, 921 (same type). McTfjoidcs, Eytox, Cat. Brit. B. 1836, 57 (same type). Char. Similar to Fnlix, l>at tliu l)iH decidedly brouiler at the base than vt any other pa;-t, p;vadually narrowing toward the end, which has a large and very hroad nail ; maxilla very much depressed terminally, its deiith at tlie base of the nail heiuL;- oidy about one fourth that at the extreme base. Male with the head rufous, the pileum ornamented with a very full, soft tuft or bushy crest, occupying the whole top of the head. Fuligula rufina. THE RUFOUS-CRESrED DUCK. Annsrufna, Pall. It. IT. App. 1773, 731, no. 28. — Gmel. S. N. I. 1788, 541. Branta rufina, BoiE, Isis, 1822, 564. —Gray, Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 198. Fuligula rufina, Steph. Gen. Zool. XII. 1824, 188. — Dresser, B. Fau: Ft. XXII. Oct. 1873. Nelta rufina, Kaup, Nat. Syst. 1829, 102. Platypus rufimis, Bp.ehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 922. Callichcn rufinus, Breiim, t. c. 924. Mergoiclcs rufina, Eyt. Ear. Brit. B. 1836, 57. Aiithya rufina, Macgill. Man. Brit. B. 1846, 191. Calliclicn ruficeps, Brehm, t. c. 922. 1 Some recent authorities have u.sed the generic term Fuligula for the entire group of lobe-halluxed River-Ducks, or those which have usually been assigned to the genera Fuligula, Fulix, and ^tkyia. But Anas rufina, Pall., upon which the genus Fuligula of Stephens was based, is quite a different type from Fulix (formally restricted to F. marila and its allies by Profes.sor Baird, in 1858) and ^-Ellvjia, and should, in our opinion, be .separated generically. The first use of the term Branta in a geneiic .sense was by Scopoli in 1769 (hv Anser bcmicla, L., A. moscJiata, L., A. torrita, L., A. alhifrons, L. — a veiy heterogeneous assemblage), which invalidates its subsequent employment, unless restricted to one or another of the species named by Scopoli not already supplied with a generic name — with which, however, there appears to be none not provided. 16 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. CaUiclun suhrufinns, Brehm, t. c. 924. Callichcn micropus, Bkehm, t. c. 925. Callichen rufesccns, Brehm, Vogelfang, 1855, 379. Red-crcstcd Pochard, Selby, Wnt. Orn. II. 350. — Duesser, I. c. Eed-crcslcd IFhistlimj Duck, Yauhell, Brit. B. eil. 2, III. 327, fig. ; ed. 3. III. 329, fig. — Gr.\y, /. c. IIab. Southern and Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, and India ; occasional in Northern and Central Eurojie, and casual in the British Islands ; accidental in Eastern U. S. (New York market, BoARDMAN ; spec, in U. S. Nat. Mus.). Sp. Char. Adult $ (57207, U. S. Nat. Mus. ; Hungary, W. Schlijter) : Head and upper half of the neck delicate pinkish cinnamon, or vinaceoiis-rufous, the full, soft crest (occupying the entire pileum) paler and less reddish, the feathers light buff at tips ; lower half of the neck (including a narrow stripe which extends up the nape to the occiput), jiigulum, breast, abdomen, anal region, crissuni, upper tail-coverts, and rump brownish black, deepest on the neck and jugu- hun, and with a decided dark-green gloss on the upper tail-coverts. Back and scapulars uniform light umber-drab or isabella-color ; wing-coverts and tertials brownish gray ; speculum Avhite basally, changing gradually into pale grayish, then succeeded by a rather broad sul)terminal bar of du.'^ky, the tip narrowly and abruptly white ; four outer primaries with exterior tips dusky ; inner quills pale ashy, with broad dusky ends ; tail dull dark grayish. A broad bar or transverse patch across anteiior scapular region, anterior border of the wing, lining of the wing, axillars, and a very large patch covering the flanks and posterior half of the sides, pure white. "Bill Ijright vermilion- red, the tip white ; irides reddish brown ; legs orange-red. Total length, 21 inches." (Dkksser, B. Eur. Pt. XXII.) Wing, 10.20 inches ; culmen, 2.00 ; tarsus, 1.50 ; middle toe, 2.25, Adidt 9 (57209, U. S. Nat. Mus. ; Hungary, W. Schlijter) : Crest much less developed tlian in the male, light hair-brown, this color descending to the level of the lower border of the eye, and posteriorly continuing in a narrow stripe clown the nape ; rest of the head and neck very pale ashy, as axe also the lower parts in general ; jugulum, sides, and flanks light raw-umber brown, the tips of the feathers lighter ; anal region and crissum uniform light drab, the latter whitish terminally. Upper parts in general umber-drab (the wings being more brownish than in the $ ), darker on the rump ; white patch at liase of scapular region wliolly obsolete, and white border to tlie wing indistinct ; speculum pale ash}', becoming gradually dull white basally, and brownish dusky subterminally, and with a narrow white terminal margin as in the $ . " Eyes hazel ; beak blackish, with a pink tip, a portion f)f the lower mandible being yellowish pink ; legs and feet pinkish, webs blacki.sh." (Dresser, I. c.) Wing, 9.90 ; culmen, 1.90; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 2.20. Immature $ (61957, U. S. Nat. Mus.; vicinity of New York City, February, 1872, G. A. Boardman) : Similar in general appearance to the adult 9 , 'is described above, but crest much less developed (the tips of the feathers much worn) and decidedly more reddish in color ; sides and under parts of head tlucklv interspersed with cinnamon-colored feathers (new moult) ; the jugulum, breast, and posteri(n' under parts also mixed with black feathers, indicating the approach- ing adult livery ; white patch at base of scapular region plainly indicated, and broad white border to anterior portion of the wing very distinct ; speculum much as in the 9 > lacking the distinct subterminal dusky bar of the adult $. Wing, 9.80 inches; culmen, 1.80 ; tarsus, 1.50 ; middle toe, 2.15. *' Young in dovm (fide Baldamus, Cab. Journ. 1870, 280) : Diflers from every other Duck in this plumage that I know in having a double olive-gray stripe from the lores, dividing before the eye, and bordering the yelhnvish-gray eyebrow above and the cheeks and auriculars below ; upper ])arts, crown from the base of the bill, nape, back, and wings dull olive-gray, excepting the spot on the shoulder, which, with the rest of the body, is pale yellowish gray ; iris dark brown ; bill reddish brown, with the nail white ; feet ash-gray, with a greenish tinge, webs and toes narrowly edged with yellowish white." (Dresser, I. c.) The only claim wliich this handsome species has to a place among North American birds rests on a single individual having been obtained in Fulton Market, New York, the 2d of February, 1872, by Mr. George A. Boardman. The specimen in question, a young male, was undoubtedly shot near New York City, probably on Long Island Sound, and is now preserved in the U. S. National Museum. (Cf. Proc. U. S. Nat. Una., Vol. IV., 1881, pp. 22-24.) ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 17 GeXUS FULIX, SUNDEVALL. Fidix, SuNDEV. Kong. Vet. Ak. Haud. 1835, 129. (No type designated, but restricted to the group of which Anas marila, Linn., is typical, by Professor Baird iu B. N. Am. 1858, 790.) Fidigula, Auct. (nee Stephens, 1824). Marila, Bonap. Compt. Rend. XLIII. Sept. 1856, 651. (Not of Reichenbacii, 1852.) Nettarion, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 790 (in text), (type, Anas 'inarila, Linn.). Char. Bill longer than the tarsus (about as long as the head), very broad and much depressed for the terminal half, the edges nearlj^ parallel or slightly divergent terminally ; lower edge of the maxilla strongly convex, concealing all of the mandible except the basal portion. Colors F. marila, male. chiefly black and white (the head, neck, and jugulum black, lower parts white) in the adult male the black replaced by brownish in the female. This genus, as restricted, embraces three North American and one European species, whose characters are as follows : — A. Speculum white, tipped with Ijlack ; sides and flanks plain white, or very minutely undulated with grayish. 1. F. marila. Occiput not crested ; back and scapulars grayish white in the male, undulated with black. Wing, 8.2.5-9.00 inches ;i bill. 1.85-2.20 X .85-1.05 X .70-90; tarsus, 1.40-1.60; middle toe, 2.25-2.45. Hah. North America. 2. F. affinis. Similar to F. marila, but smaller. Wing, 7.60-8.25 inches ; Inll, 1.58-1.90 X .S0-.95 X .60-.80; tarsus, 1.15-1.50 ; middle toe, 2.00-2.25. Hah. North America. ^ The average dimensions of the two are as follows : ^ F. marila : Wing, 8.59 inches ; culmen, 2.02 ; width of bill, near end, .97, at base, .79 ; tarsus, 1.51 : middle toe, 2.32. (17 specimens.) F. affinis: Wing, 7.80 inches ; culmen, 1.75 ; width of bill, near end, .88, at base, .69 ; tarsus, 1.38 ; middle toe. 2.14. (20 specimens.) vol.. II. — ,3 18 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 3. F. fuligula.i Occiput with a long, pendant, but closely appressed, crest ; back and scap- ulars plain black. "Wing, 7.60-8.10 inches; bill, 1.85-1.90 X .75-.85 X .55-.G5; tarsus, 1.25-1.30 ; middle toe, 2.05-2.10 ; Hab. Palsearctic Region ; accidental in Greenland '? B. Speculum bluish gray, narrowly tipped with white ; sides and flanks grayish white, very distinctly undulated with blackish. 4. F. coUaris. Occij)ut without crest ; back and scapulars plain black ; lower neck with a more or less distinct collar of chestnut or dark reddish brown ; chin with a triangular white spot. Fulix marila. THE SCAUP DUCK; BIG BLACK-HEAD OK BLUE-BILL. Le Millouinan, Buff. PI. Enl. 1002 (^ad. ). Anas marila, Linn. Faun. Suec. 2d ed. 1761, 39 ; S. N. ed. 12, I. 1766, 196. — ?"Wils. Am. Orn. VIII. 1814, 84, pi. 69, fig. 3 (may be F. affinh). Fuligula marila, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. XII. ii. 1824, 198. — Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 453 (part; includes i^. a#jm). — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 437 (do.).— Aud. B. Am. VII. 1843, 355, pi. 498 (not of VI. 1843, 316, pi. 397, nor of his earlier work.s, which = F. affinis). — C0UE.S, Key, 1872, 289 ; Check List, 1873, no. 500 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 720 ; Birds N. W. 1874, 573. Fulix marila, Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 791 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 588. — Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 614. Anas frcnata, Si'AiniM. Mus. Carls. 1786, pi. 38. Fuligula Gesneri, Eyton, Cat. Br. B. 1836, 58. Hab. Entire northern hemisphere ; in America, breeding far north. Sp. Char. Head, neck, and jugulum black, the first with a greenish gloss ; back and scapulars white, irregularly undulated with zigzag lines of black ; wing-coverts dusky, finely grizzled with grayish white ; secondaries white, tipped, and sometimes narrowly edged with black ; tertials black, with a very faint bottle-green reflection ; jirimary-eoverts dusky black ; primaries similar, but the inner quills pale grayish on outer webs, excejjt at ends, the gray growing whiter on the shorter feath- ers ; rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and crissum, dull black. Lower parts between the jugulum and crissum white, the posterior portion (and sometimes the sides and flanks), zigzagged with dusky. Bill pale blue (or bluish white) in life, the nail black ; iris bright yellow ; legs and feet pale slate. Adult female : Head and neck sepia-brown, the anterior portion of the former, all round the base of the bill, white ; jugulum, anal region, and crissum, pale grayish brown, fading gradually into the white of the breast and abdomen ; sides and flanks deeper broAvn ; above, brownish dusky, the back and scapulars but faintly or not at all grizzled with white ; wings much as in the male. Total length, about 18 to 20 inches ; extent, 29.50 to 35.00 ; wing, 8.25-9.00 ; culmen, 1.85- 2.20 ; width of bill near end, .85-1.05, at base, .70-.90 ; tarsus, 1.40-1.60 ; middle toe, 2.25-2.45. 1 Fulix fuugula. The European Crested Duck. Lc Morillon, Buff. PI. Eid. 1001 ( ^ ad.). Anas fuligula, Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I. 1758, 128 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 202. — Naum. Vbg. Deutschl. XII. 1844, 64, pi. 310. Anas scandiaca, Gmel. S. N. I. 1788, 520. Anns crislatM, Leach, Syst. Cat. 1816, 39. Fuligula cristata, Steph. Gen. Zool. XII. 1824, 190. — Bonap. Comp. List. 1838, 58. —Keys. &Bl.\s. Wirb. Eur. 87. — Macoill. Man. IL 189. — Gray, Gen. B. III. 621 ; Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 199. Anas cohjmbis, Pall. Zoog. Ro.sso-As. II. 1826, 266. Tu fled Duel; Yaiir. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 351, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 353, fig. ; et Auct. Sp. Chap. Adult, male: Head and neck glos.sy black, .showing purple and green reflections in certain lights ; pendant occipital crest, and lower part of neck (forming indistinct collar) brownish ; upper parts in general, jugulum, breast, and crissum brownish Mack, the back and scapulars minutely freckled with grayish. Sp(!culum white, widely tipped with black ; primaries light brownish gray, their ends, with entire outer web of two outer quills, blackish. Entire abdomen, .sides, and flaidcs, immaculate white. ANATINJE — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 19 The "Scaup Duck" of Great Britain — the "Bhie-bill " of ISTew England, the "Black- head " of Long Island and Chesapeake Bay — is one of the most abundant and one of the most widely distributed of its tribe. In North America it occurs on the Atlantic coast, the interior waters, and on the Pacific. In the latter it is found from Alaska to Central America, in the interior from the Barren Grounds to the Gulf of Mexico, and on the east from Greenland and Hud- son's Bay to Florida and the West India Islands. It is found throughout Europe and Asia as far east as China and Japan. It does not appear to move farther south than the north shore of the Mediterranean, and is more northern than most of the fresh-water Ducks. Dr. Walker mentions having obtained several specimens of this Duck near Godt- haab, on the coast of Greenland, and Profes- sor Eeinhardt states that two adult males and a female of this species were sent to Denmark from ISlenortalik in 1860. Mr. Ross met with this bird on Great Slave Lake, and Captain Blakiston obtained speci- mens of it on Hudson's Bay. In the terri- tory of the Hudson's Bay Company, as Mr. Kennicott states, it is known by the voya- geiirs as the "Big Pali Duck " (Gros Canard (V Auto nine). It was rather rare on the Yukon, but more common about the Slave Lake. Although abundant on the west coast, the main body appears to pass to the northeastward, although not going so far east as the Dusky Duck and the Ked-head. It was supposed by Mr. Kennicott to breed more toward Hudson's Bay ; and he found its general habits to be very similar to those of the Fulix affin'is, with which it asso- ciates. It was ascertained to be abundant at Sitka, where it was obtained by Mr. Bischoff. Mr. Dall found it common on the Lower Yukon and on the sea-coast, where it was one of the first of the Ducks to arrive in the spring ; and he obtained its eggs near the mouth of the Yukon in the early part of June. He speaks of its nest as being very rude — a mere excavation, with a few straws about it — and of the bird as usually tough and lean, and but poor eating. This Duck was found by Mr. R. Browne on the coast of Vancouver Island, and Richardson states that it breeds in all parts of the Fur Countries, from the 50th parallel to the most northern limits. According to Dr. Cooper, this Duck, variously known as the "Broad-bill," the " Blue-bill," and the " Shuffler," is common during the winter along the entire coast of California, frequenting the salt bays and creeks, and occasionally going a short distance up the more open rivers, in fresh water. It is said to feed on small shell- fish, Crustacea, etc., for which it dives a good deal in very deep water, both by night and day. Its stay in California is from October until April, when it leaves for the Arctic Regions to breed. It utters a grunting noise, and occasionally a guttural quack. Male. 20 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. This Duck has been tamed and made to feed on barley ; but in California it is deemed an inferior bird for the table. Colonel Grayson mentions meeting Avith it in Western Mexico, near Mazatlan, during the winter months. Mr. Dresser found it common throughout the winter in Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico. It occurs in several of the West India Islands ; in Cuba, according to Dr. Gundlach ; and in Trinidad, on the authority of Lcotaud. In the latter place it is a frequent but not a very regular visitant, arriving usually in November, and departing in April, generally in small flocks of five or six individuals only. Its flesh is not of the first quality. Dr. Bryant states that this species is common during the winter in the Bahamas, and that it is sometimes seen in immense flocks, acres in extent. Mr. Swinhoe includes it in his List of the Birds of Formosa, and met with it near Amoy, in China. It was also observed in Japan by ]\Ir. H. Whitely, who met with it in May near Hakodadi. In Europe it is regarded as a decidedly northern species, not breeding south of Lapland. Mr. Wheelwright found it very common at Quickiock, in the lowlands and fell meadows. The eggs were said greatly to resemble those of the Pintail in color, but to be larger and thicker. In Iceland Mr. C. W. Shepard found it on an island in the Lake of My-vatn, in the northern part. Although a great many other Ducks were breeding in and about this lake, only one other, the Harelda glacialis, occupied this island. Most of the birds left their nests as soon as the boat touched the shore, but a few remained, and would not leave until they were driven away. He found two Ducks, one of them of this species, the other a Harelda, sitting on the same nest, which contained several eggs of both species, very easily distinguished by the differences in their color, shape, and size. The Blue-bill is not uncommon in the fall, and also in the spring, near Calais, Me., but it is not found there in the winter. It winters on the coast of Massachusetts in mild seasons, and is especially common on the southern coast of Cape Cod. It is also occasional during winter in Bermuda. Professor Kumlien informs me that this species occurs on Lake Koskonong, Wis., both in its spring and in its fall migrations. It is not common, and is more frequently found in the lake than in the creek. Mr. J. A. Allen found it quite common in the fall in the valley of Great Salt Lake. According to Giraud it is known to the hunters of Long Island as the "Broad- bill," and also as the '' Blue-bill." It arrives on the southern coast of that island between the 10th and the 20th of October, associating in large flocks. On its first appearance it is easily decoyed, but after having l)een frequently shot at it becomes more shy. In the stormy weather it takes shelter in the coves, and is frequently decoyed to within gunshot from the shore by having a dog trained to swim between it and the land, and also by the rapid weaving of a red handkerchief, the party keeping concealed. It is supposed, from the impetuous manner in which the bird approaches, that it is angered by this manoeuvre ; and the effect is said to be very amusing. The Blue-bill remains on the coast of Long Island all the winter, unless compelled by the severity of the weather to seek a better supply of food elsewhere. Even when the bays are frozen it may be killed at the " air openings." When Avounded it avoids pursuit by diving, and is celebrated for skulking under banks. But little advantage can be derived from the fact that the flock is a large one, if the hunter shows himself. The birds all scatter, and it is rarely possible to get even two in a range. Greater havoc is made if the flock swims up to the hunter wdien in position. Birds of this species usually pass the nights on the flats in large flocks, seldom ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 21 roosting on the marshes or meadows; and they readily discover the best feeding- grounds. When in good condition this Duck is very highly esteemed for the table. In flying it rarely utters any note, but when swimming leisurely about in calm weather it is said to give utterance to a quick rattling or rolling sound. In its migrations its flight is high and rapid. It is common in the winter on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries. In Chesapeake Bay, where it is very abundant, it is more generally known as the "Black-head," and in Virginia it is called the "Eaft Duck." A writer in "Doughty's Cabinet " (I. 41) says the Black-heads arrive on the Chesapeake about the last of October, and rapidly distribute themselves over the Bay. This is one of the very few Ducks that are able to dive and pull up by the roots the Vallisneria plants on which it feeds. Other Ducks share in the spoils, especially the Baldpate, which, though of inferior size, is able, by its address and boldness, to rob both this species and the Canvas-back of the fruits of their labors. On the Chesapeake, where the Blue-bill feeds exclusively on the ValUsiierift ov other aquatic plants, it becomes very fat. Its flesh is tender and juicy, and entirely free from the strong fishy taste acquired in other localities. This bird feeds chiefly by night. According to Yarrell, the Scaup Duck is a very late winter visitor to Great Britain, seldom appearing until the beginning of November, and arriving, in small flocks, on various parts of the coast, and at the mouths of rivers, but rarely visiting inland waters. It prefers low flat muddy shores, where it is pursued by the wild-fowl shooters in gun-punts, and is occasionally caught by fishermen in upright nets, fixed in curving lines on stakes in shallow bays. It feeds on small fish, mollusca, aquatic insects, and marine plants, and is not in request for the table, as its flesh becomes coarse, dark in color, and fishy in flavor. Being very expert in diving, it obtains the greater part of its food in this way. It rises slowly from the surface of the water, and usually against the wind, and flies at a moderate speed. Colonel Montague kept Ducks of this species in confinement many years. They held apart from the other Ducks, and both sexes made the same grunting noise, and had the same singular toss of the head, in performing which they at the same time open the bill. In spring this Duck departs to countries north of the Orkneys to breed, and there is only a single instance recorded of its breeding in Scotland. This was in Suther- landshire, in June, 1834, and was observed by Sir W. Jardine. Mr. Proctor, who found this bird breeding in Iceland, states tha.t it lays its eggs either among the aquatic herbage or the large stones near the edge of fresh Avater, making little or no nest. A quantity of down usually covers the eggs, which are from five to eight in number. An egg brought from Iceland by INIr. Proctor is described by Yarrell as being of a uniform clay-brown color, 2.37 inches in length by 1 .63 in breadth. This species was found breeding on the Yukon River by 'My. J. Lockhart ; on Big Island in Slave Lake by Mr. J. Reid; at Port Rae by Mr. L. Clarke ; at Lake Winni- peg by Mr. Donald Gunn ; at Pastolik, Kutleet, Nulato, and on the Island of St. Michael's by Mr. Dall ; and at Sitka by Mr. P. Bischoff. Eggs in the Smithsonian Collection from the Yukon (No. C617) are of a pale olive-gray, varying in length from 2.55 to 2. GO inches, aud have an average breadth of 1.70 inches. 99 L.-UIELLIROSTKAL SWIMMERS - ANSERES. Fulix affinis. THE LESSER SCAUP DUCK; LITTLE BLACK-HEAD, OR BLUE-BILL. Fidigida viarila, Arn. Orn. Biog. III. 1835, 22G ; Y. 1839, 614, pi. 229 ; Syuop. 1839, 286 ; 1). Am. VI. 1843, 316, pi. 397. Fuligula affinis, Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 157. — CouES, Key, 1872, 289; Check Li.st, 1873, no. 501 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 721 ; B. N. W. 1874, 573. Fulix affinis, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 791 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 589. — Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 615. Fidigida mariloides, VlG. Zool. Blossom, 1839, 31. Fuligula minor, Bell, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad. I. 1842, 141. — Giraud, B. Long. I. 1844, 323. IIar. Tlie whole of North America, .south to Guatemala and the West Indies ; breeds chiefly north of the United States. Sp. Char. Entirely similar to F. marila, but smaller. Total length, about 16.00 inches ; extent, 25.00-30.00; wing, 7.(;0-8.2.'3 ; culmen, 1.58-1.90 ; width of bill near end, .80-95, at base, .60-.80 ; tarsus, 1.15-1.50; middle toe, 2.00-2.25. Beyond the decidedly smaller size, we can per- ceive no difference between this bird and F. marila which seems to be constant. In most of the speci- mens before us, however, the green gloss of the head is much less distinct, in fact wanting entirely, or in many replaced by faint purplish ; while the lower part of the neck is usually dull brownish and quite lustreless, in many examples forming quite as distinct a collar as in some specimens of F. collaris, though the color is never so rufescent as in the latter species. The zigzag markings on the back and scapular appear to be, as a rule, somewhat coarser than in F. marila. As in the larger spe- cies, the sides and flaidvs may be either marked with dusky, or quite immaculate. A larger series of specimens may prove the intergradation of this form with F. marila. Male (reduced). A full and complete history of this species cannot be given, in consequence of the confusion that has existed between it and the better-known Fulix marila, which, in appearance, and probably in habits, it so closely resembles. So far as my ow-n obser- vations go, I am inclined to agree with Dr. Cooper in regarding this species as a much more decided frequenter of the land than is the larger Black-head ; and it is quite probable that much that has been written by Audubon and others in regard to the Scaup Duck, as seen on our rivers and lakes, may have had reference only to this species. In April, 1872, the markets of Detroit were abundantly and almost exclu- sively supplied with this Duck, brought from the marshes of Lake St. Clair ; and both in the spring and in the fall it is abundant on Lake Koskonong, in Southern Wisconsin. It is found over the whole North American continent, both on the east- ern and western coasts, is common in the interior waters, reaching the farthest north during its breeding-season, aiul in the winter wanders to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, to Central America, and to Mexico. Mr. Dall found it not uncommon at the mouth of the Yukon liiver, and on the upper waters of that river. Mr. Ken- nicott mentions it as by far the most abundant Duck, and much more numerous there ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 23 than on Slave Lake, not arriving early, but being the last to depart. Large flocks were also seen on the Porcupine River. They collect in large bands as soon as the young can fly ; and these flocks are more numerous in the fall than in the spring. Mr. Salvin found this Duck exceedingly abundant on the Lake of Duenas during the winter months ; and it was seen on Lake Atitlan as late as the month of May. Colonel Grayson found it in Western Mexico, in the neighborhood of Mazatlan, during the winter ; and Dr. Heermann informed Mr. Dresser that it was common on the coast of Texas during the whole of that season. Mr. Murray obtained it at Hudson's Bay, and Caj)tain Blakiston also received examples from the same region. Mr. Ross found it abundant along the Mackenzie River, as far north as the Arctic Ocean. According to Mr. Hurdis it is occasionally obtained in the Bermudas. Dr. Cooper found it less common on the Pacific coast than the marila, and he sug- gests, as the probable explanation, that it is more partial to the interior than it is to imm^n.'ij/i'''-,. , i Fe'male (natural size J. the sea-coast. In Eastern Oregon Captain Bendire found these Ducks common during the migrations, and thinks a few breed in the higher valleys of the Blue Mountains, where they remained into June. Mr. George A. Boardman informs me that this species occurs both in the spring and in the fall in the neighborhood of Calais, and that it is by no means uncommon there. It is also found on the coast of ^Massachusetts at the same times, but to what extent is not certainly known. Its distinctness from the larger Black-head is not generally recognized by hunters, nor always by taxidermists. Mr. Maynard regards it as rare, and only found in its migrations. ISIr. Giraud was one of the first to recognize it as a species distinct from the marila, calling it the " Lesser Scaup Duck." He states that it had long been known to the Bay hunters, and by them was called the " Creek Broad-bill," from its habit of fre- quenting the small streams ; while the Fulix marila is usually observed in the open bays. The Scaup Duck is said be a very abundant species ; and during the autumn 24 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. and the early part of spring it is quite common along tlie INIiddle Atlantic districts, as well as on the streams in the interior. In its choice of food, in its migrations, and in its breeding-range, its habits are presumed to be similar to those of the larger species. It is said to be of accidental occurrence in Europe. Mr. Kennicott and Mr. MacFarlane both found it breeding in large numbers on the Yukon Eiver, and have furnished interesting notes as to the general character, l^osition, and locality of the nests. One of these, described by Mr. Kennicott, was found, June 19, at Fort Yukon ; it was placed among grassy tussocks, surrounded by Avater, at the edge of a lake. The nest of this species is never built literally in the water, as is the case with the Canvas-back. This particular nest, as is usual with this species, was made of dry grasses, the bottom two inches above the water, and it con- tained nine eggs. Another nest was at the edge of a marsh, among long grass, and contained but a single egg. This nest was very incomplete ; and Mr. Kennicott remarks that in all the nests of this species Avhich he has found, in which the num- ber of eggs is not nearly completed, the nest is only partially made, and is, in fact, only a pile of grass with the sides not built uj), and without any feathers or down. A third nest with only two eggs, and incomplete, was found, June 18, upon and between two tussocks of grass, on the edge of a large lake, and in from one to two feet of water. A nest found by Mr. MacFarlane, June 23, was in the midst of a swamp, and was a mere hole or depression in the centre of a tuft of grass ; it was lined on its sides with a dark-colored down, and contained three eggs. Another, found in June, 1864, was in a swampy tract on the borders of the wooded country, was made of a quantity of down placed in the midst of a tuft of grassy turf, commonly called a fete defemme. The female Avas snared on the nest ; and the eggs, six in number, contained partially developed embryos. A third nest, taken July 14, contained eight eggs with embryos well developed ; it was situated in a clump of willows in the midst of a swamp, and close to a small lake, and was made of hay and doAvn. Mr. MacFarlane also found this Duck breeding in the neighborhood of Fort Anderson and on the Lower Ander- son River. His notes, describing twelve nests taken in this region, indicate a general uniformity in their situation and characteristics. The general number of eggs in a nest Avas nine, and this appears to be the usual complement. In several instances the male bird Avas found in company Avith his mate, and in one instance Avas shot in close proximity to the nest, even AAdien the eggs contained embryos. A careful examination of Audubon's account of the habits of the Scaup Duck clearly indicates that nearly all he says of it belongs in reality to this species ; and this supposition is strengthened by the fact that he figures and describes the c{]ff7n is rather than the larger Black-head. He speaks of observing the Scaup Duck by the thousand on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, from Pittsburg to Kew Orleans, where it occurred in such large bands that it Avas generally known as the " Flocking FoavI." These Ducks Avere seldom seen close together, and rarely associated Avith birds of other species. They seemed fond of large eddies beloAV projecting points of land, fre- quently diving to a considerable distance in search of food. In such situations they might easily be approached and shot ; and when danger Avas near they seemed to prefer to escape by SAvimming and diving rather than by flight, and they rose with some difficulty from the water. Audubon noted that these Ducks differed greatly in size, but does not seem to have been led from this to suspect that they really belonged to two distinct species. Professor Kumlien iufcjrms me that this Duck is quite common in Southern Wis- consin both in the spring and in the fall. Some of these birds are to be found on Lake ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 25 Koskonong all the summer, and perhaps breed there ; they have not, however, been found doing this, nor have any broods of young birds been noticed. Eggs of this Duck from the Yukon River (Smithsonian Institution, ISTos. 5G37 and 6626) are of a pale grayish buff with a tinge of olive ; their usual breadth is 1.50 inches, and their length varies from 2.20 to 2.50 inches. Fulix coUaris. THE RING-NECKED SCAUP DUCK; RING-BILL. Anas coUaris, Donovan, Br. Birds, VI. 1809, pi. 147 (England). Fidujula collaris, BoxAr. List B. Eur. 1842, 73. — Coues, Kej, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, no. 502 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 722 ; B. N. W. 1874, 574. Fiilijc; collaris, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 792 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 590. — Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 616. Anas fulicjula, WiLS. Am. Orn. VIIL 1814, 66, pi. 67, iig. 5 (not of Linn. 1766). Anas (Fuligida) rufitorques, Bonap. Joi;r. Philad. Acad. IIL 1824, 381. Fitlknaarufitorqucs, BoNAP. Synop. 1828, 393. — Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. IL 1831, 454. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 439. — Aud. Orn. Biog. III. 1835, 259, pi. 234 ; Synop. 1839, 287 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 320, pL 398. Hab. The whole of North America, south to Guatemala and the West Indies ; breeding chiefly in the high north. Accidental in Europe. Sp. Char. Adult male : Head, neck, jugulum, crissum, and upper parts generally, black, the head and neck with a faint violet gloss, the wing-coverts inclining to slate ; secondaries (" specu- lum ") bluish gray, darker subtenninally, and very narrowly tipped with white ; primaries slate- gray, the outer quills and ends of the others dusky. A triangular spot of white on the chin, and F. collaris, male. a more or less distinct collar of chestnut round the lower neck ; breast and abdomen white, abruptly defined anteriorly against the lilack of the jugulum, but changing insensibly into the black on the crissum, through a graduated barring or transverse mottling of white and dusky ; sides white, delicately undulated with grayish dusky. Axillars and lining of the wing immaculate white. Bill lead-color, with a narrow basal and broad subterminal band of bluish white, the end black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale slaty. Adult female : Crown and nape dull dark brown, becoming gradually lighter below ; rest of the head paler and grayer, the anterior half of the lores, the chin, throat, and foreneck nearly or quite white ; jugulum, sides, and flanks, deep VOL. II. — 4 26 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIilMERS — ANSERES. Male. fulvous or mw-uiulxT ludw n ; luvast and abdomen white ; anal region dull brown, longer feathers of the crissum whitish ; wings as in the male ; remaining upper parts dull dark brown, the feathers of the back narrowly tipped Avith fulvous. Bands on the bill narrower and less distinct than in the male ; iris yellow ; feet slaty. Total length, about 16 to IS inches, extent, 24 to 27; culmen, 1.75-2.0U ; tar.sus, 1.30-1.45 ; middle toe, 2.00-2.15. Dovmy young : ^ Above, grayish umber-brown, relieved by seven spots of light buff, as follows : a small and inconspicuous spot in the middle of the back, between, and a little anterior to, the wings ; a large patch on each side the back, an- other on each side the rump, at the base of the tail, and a bar across the posterior border of each wing. Crown, occiput, and nape crossed longi- tudinally b}^ a wide stripe of deep grayish um- ber ; a roundish isolated .spot of light grayish brown directly over the ears ; remainder of the head, including the forehead, and lower parts gen- erally, light dingy buff, the flanks crossed by a brown transverse stripe from the rump to the tibia. Side of the head luithout any longitudinal strij^es. The chief variation in the plumage of this species consists in the distinctness of the chest- nut collar in the male. In some examples this is scarcely more conspicuous than in F. affinis, being dull brown instead of reddish ; but usually the color is a well-defined chestnut, particularly in front. The female Ring-neck resembles very closely in- deed that of the Red-head {Mthyia americana) ; but may be distinguished by the character to which at- tention is called under the latter species (see p. 36). The Eing-necked Duck, as compared with other species, does not appear to be anywhere an abundant bird, although found nearly throughout America. It breeds as far south as Calais, near the eastern coast, in Southern Wisconsin, and in Minnesota. It is said to breed as far to the north as Fort Simpson, where it was found by Mr. B. Eoss. In the winter it extends its migrations to the Gulf of Mexico, to the Pacific coast of Mexico, and to Central America. It is also found in the winter in Cuba, and probably in most, if not all, the other West India islands. Dr. Bry- ant speaks of finding it in immense flocks in winter in the Bahamas. This Duck was taken by Mr. Salvin at Coban, Vera Paz, November, 1859, when it was found frequenting the river in considerable numbers. (\)lonel Grayson also 1 Described from No. 60550, Calais, Me. ; G. A. P.oaiidman. This example is pretty well grown, being nearly 8 inches in total length, the bill nearly 1 inch ; younger individuals would doubtless be more highly colored — probably deep buff beneath and on the head. Female, ANATINJ^ — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 27 obtained it at Mazatlaii in Western Mexico, and Mr. John Xantus on the Kio de Coahuano in the same region. Mr. Dresser, in his journey from San Antonio to Eagle Pass, in Western Texas, in December, shot one of this species on the Nueces River, and saw several others at the same time and place. This Duck occurs on the Pacific coast at least as far north as Vancouver Island, where it was taken by Mr. R. Browne. Dr. Cooper mentions that a single specimen of this species was obtained near the Straits of Fuca by Dr. Kennerly, when with the Northwestern Boundary Expedition in 1857. It was shot September 14 ; and from its occurrence so early in the season in that latitude the inference may be drawn that it occasionally comes into California in the winter, unless only an accidental visitor to the Pacific coast. Dr. Cooper does not regard it as common there, but states that it may be found to the south as far as Mexico, and that it is usually seen in localities similar to those in which the Blue-bill occurs. Mr. George A. Boardmau informs me that this Duck is seen every summer in the vicinity of Calais, and that it breeds there. The same gentleman states in the " Natur- alist " (y. 121) that in the spring of 1870 he found several flocks of the Ring-necked Duck breeding on the river near Calais, and that in one instance he secured the old birds and the young ducklings. In the summer of 1874 Mr. Boardmau was so fortu- nate as to meet with the nest and eggs of this species. The nest, containing eleven eggs, was placed among the reeds and thick grass on the banks of the St. Croix River, and was made of dry grasses, but without any down. This Duck is of not infrequent occurrence in Eastern Massachusetts, where it is usually seen on the larger streams near their mouths ; but it has been taken in several instances in the Merrimack just below Haverhill. Mr. William Brewster shot a specimen near Belmont, Mass., November, 1867 ; and several other instances of its capture in this region are recorded. This Duck is mentioned by Giraud as of occasional occurrence on Long Island. By the hunters of tliat locality it is generally considered as a hybrid, and is familiarly known as the "Bastard Broad-bill." Along the sea-coast it is not abundant, but a fcAv of this species are observed almost every spring and autumn on the south shore of Long Island, and at Egg Harbor, New Jersey. On the streams of the interior it is quite common during the winter. Mr. Giraud met with it on the Ohio in various localities, and also on the Mississippi as far south as New Orleans. It associates with others of the same species in small flocks, and is usually observed flying but a short distance above the water. The largest flock Mr. Giraud ever noticed consisted of from nine to twelve individuals. These he saw at the mouth of the Licking River. They were not so plentiful in the vicinity of Cincinnati as they were farther down the Ohio. A single specimen was obtained at Bermuda by Mr. Hurdis in November. It was a young bird in the plumage of the first season which had been taken alive, and an attempt was made to keep it. Richardson states that this species breeds in all parts of the Fur Country, from the 50th parallel to its most northern limits. Whether this is given on his own knowledge or on the authority of others does not appear. There has been no farther evidence confirmatory of his statement, which quite possibly is not correct. Audubon speaks of this Duck as being abundant on all the western waters during the autumn and winter. It is also met with along our Atlantic coast, but by no means in such numbers as in the interior. He says that its flesh is excellent, being fat, tender, and juicy, and having none of the fishy flavor of those species which are in the habit of diving deep for their food. This Duck arrives in the region between 28 LAMELLIKOSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSEEES. Kentucky and New Orleans from the 20tli of September to the middle of October ; and at this period it may also be found from Massachusetts to Louisiana. It is said to move in flocks of from fifteen to twenty, keeping rather scattered, flying with rapidity, and at a considerable height. It is also described as swimming with liglit- ness and ease, and experiencing no difficulty in rising on wing, either from land or water. Like F. marila, it is said to have the almost constant practice of raising its head in a curved manner, erecting its occipital feathers, and emitting a note re- sembling the sound produced by a person blowing through a tube. Ducks of this species feed by diving and by dabbling with their bills among the roots of grasses — eating seeds, as well as snails and aquatic insects. A male which Mr. Audubon shot near Louisville, in the beginning of ]May, was found to contain a frog, the body of which was nearly two inches long, and by which the bird had been almost choked. This Duck is found nearly throughout the year in Southern Wisconsin, Avhere it breeds to some extent, and from which region it is only absent during the severity of the winter. It has also been found breeding in Minnesota by Mr. Goss, who obtained several nests with their eggs. Professor Kumlien informs me that this species is quite common in Southern Wisconsin, but that it is not so abundant in the spring and fall as the F. affinis. Both of these two species are found all summer in Kice and Koskonong lakes in pairs, and he thinks that this species undoubtedly breeds in both places, though its eggs have not been identified with certainty. Several years ago a nest supposed to be of this bird was found in Kice Lake, which is also known as Bunting's Lake. Mr. B. F. Goss, of Pewaukee, Wis., writes me that several years ago he found a nest of the Ring-necked Duck, containing ten eggs, on a bog in thick cover close to the water. He has since met with several pairs of these Ducks, which were evidently breeding ; but he could not find their nests. The one referred to was found on the 20th of May, 1867, near Pewaukee Lake, about three feet from the edge, in thick cover. It was made of old grasses very neatly put together and slightly lined with feathers. Every year since, several pairs have remained all summer in the lake, but he has not been able to discover their nests. Dr. Kennerly, in his Notes on the Birds of the Mexican Boundar}"- Survey, mentions procuring his first specimen of this bird at Boca Grande, Chihuahua. It was quite tame, and was easily approached. Another was taken on Janos Iliver in April, where this Duck was seen in very large flocks. The eggs of this species are of a grayish ivory-white, a buft'y tinge occasionally replacing the gray. They measure 2.1U inches in length by 1.65 in breadth. Genus ^THYIA, Boie. Aythya, Boie, Isis, 1822, 564 (type, Anas ferhia, Linn.). Aristonetta, Bairu, B. N. Am. Aug. 19, 1858, 793 (type, Anas vallisncria, WiLS.). Chak. Yery similar to Fulix, but bill longer and narrower, the head and neck chestnut-red instead of black, in the males. Otherwise quite of the same form and style of coloration. As stated in "Birds of North America" (p. 793), it is exceedingly questionable whether this so-called genus should he separated from Fulix. It is true that AH. vallisneria is very different in the shape of the bill from the typical species of Fulix, but other species, belonging chiefly to the Old "World, are more or less intei'nicdiate. The two American species and their European analogue may be distinguished by the following characters : — AXATIX^il — THE DUCKS — .ETHYIA. 29 Com. Char. Secondaries bluish gray, the upper feathers narrowly edged with black. Adult male : Head and neck reddish brown ; jugulum and anterior part of back, lower part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and crissum black ; back, scapulars, flanks, anal region, and sometimes (in yE'. ferina) whole abdomen, white, finely vermiculated with dusky. jE. americana. A. Bill as long as middle toe (without claw), its greatest width not more than one third the length of the culnien, much depressed at the end, the nail scarcely hooked (Aristonetta, Bairp). 1. ^. vallisneria. Head and neck reddish cinnamon or rusty brown in the male, the former dusky on top and anteriorly ; jugulum, anterior portion of back, rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and crissum black ; remainder of the body wdiite, the upper surface, sides, flanks, and anal region finely vermiculated with dusky. Bill entii-ely black. Wing, 8.75-9.25 inches; culmen, 2.10-2.50; greatest width of bill, .75-80; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 2.60-2.65. Hab. North America. B, Bill much shorter than middle toe (without claw), its greatest width nearly half the length of the culmen, the end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly hooked (^-Ethijia). 2. ^. americana. Head and neck rich reddish chestnut, the latter glossed with reddish purple ; back, scapulars, sides, and flanks vermiculated with white and dusky in nearly equal quantity ; abdomen immaculate white. Bill pale blue, the end black. Wing, 8.50- 9.25 inches ; culmen, 2.05-2.25 ; greatest width of bill, .75-85 ; tarsus, 1.60-1.65 ; middle toe, 2.30-2.40. Hab. North America. 3. iE. ferina.^ Head and neck chestnut-rufous, the latter without decided purplish gloss ; back, scapulars, sides, flanks, and abdomen white, everyw'here , finely vermiculated with dusky. Bill black, crossed, a little anterior to the middle, by a wide band of pale blue. Wing, 8.00-8.50 inches ; culmen, 2.20-2.40 ; greatest width of Inll, .70-.78 ; tarsus, 1.30- 1.55 ; middle toe, 2.30-2.50. Hab. Europe. 1 .^THYIA FERINA. Anas Jcrina, LiNN. S. K. ed. 10, I. 1758, 126 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 203. — Naum. Vog. DeutscH. XII. 1844, 21, pi. 308. Fuligida ferina, Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Enr. 87. Nyroca ferina, Flem. Phil, of Zool. II. 260. —Gray, Gen. III. 621 ; Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 200. Aythya ferina, BoiE, Isis, 1822, 564. — Boxap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. — Macgill. Man. 11.191. Anas rufa, Gmel. S. N., 1. 1788, 515. Anas erythrocephala, S. G. Gmel. Eeise, I. 1770, 71. Aythya erythrocephala, Bkehm, Vcig. Deutschl. 919. Pochard, Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 332, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 334, iig. Hab. Palsparctic Region. 30 LAMKLLIROSTKAL SWIMMERS — ANSEKES. ^th5ria vallisneria. THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. Jnas vallisneria, WiLS. Am. Oni. VIII. 1814, Hr6, pi. 7, lig. 3. Faligula vallisneria, Stephens, Shaw's Geu. Zool. XII. ii. 1824, 196. —Sw. & I!icn. F. B. A. II. 1831, 451. — Nl-tt. Man. II. 1834, 430. —Ari). Oni. Biog. IV. 1838, 1, pi. 301 ; Syiiop. 1839, 285 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 299, pi. 395. — CouES, Key, 1872, 290 ; Check List, 1873, uo. 504 ; ed. 2, 1882, no. 724 ; B. N. W. 1874, 575. Aylhija vallisneria, BoiE, Isis, 1826, 980. — Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 794; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 592. ^Ihijia vallisneria, ScL. & Salv. Nom. Neotr. 1873. — Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 617. Arislonetta vallisneria, Baihd, B. N. Am. 1858, 793 (in te.\t). Hab. Nearly the whole of North America, Lreeding from the Nortli western States northward to Alaska ; south in winter to Guatemala. Sp. Char. Bill long and narrow, the end much depressed, with tlie nail scarcely decurved, the base high, with the culmen gradually sloping and scarcely concave ; culmen nearly as long as yE. vallisneria. the middle toe (witliout claw), and about three times the greatest width of the maxilla. Adult mule : Head and neck chestnut-rufous, the former brownish dusky (sometimes quite blackish) anteriorly and on top ; jugulum and anterior part of back, lower part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and posterior part of crissum black ; back, scapulars, flanks, sides, and anal region white, finely and delicately verniiculated with dusky ; breast and abdomen immaculate white. Wing-coverts deep ash-gray, finely sprinkled with white ; secondaries ("speculum") lighter, more bluish gray, the upper feathers edged with black ; tertials like the longer scapulars ; primaries slate-color, the inniT ([uills more cinereous, e.xcept at ends, where dusky ; tail du^ky. Bill entirely green- ish black ; iris carmine-red ; feet bluish gray. Adult female : Head, neck, jugulum, and anterior part of back raw-umber brown, a post-ocular space and the foreneck whitish, the chin, throat, and cheeks tinged with I'ulvous ; wings as in the male, but coverts almost or quite uniform gray ; back, scapulars, .sides, and flanks with only the exposed ends of the feathers vermiculated with white and dusky, the remainder being grayish brown. Bill greenish black ; iris brownish red ; feet plumbeous. Total length, about 20.00 to 22.00 inches ; extent, 30.00 to 33.00 ; wing, 8.75-9.25 ; culmen, 2.10-2.50 ; greatest width of bill, .75-.80 ; tarsus, 1.70 ; middle toe, 2.60-2.65. . ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — .ETHYIA. The far-famed Canvas-back Duck is an exclusively North American species. Closely resembling, in appearance, habits, and in very many of its general character- istics, the Pochard of Europe and the Eed-head of America, it is still quite distinct from, and superior to, both these species in the reputation and the intrinsic excel- lence of its flesh. It is found throughout North America, from the Arctic Ocean to Central America, on the interior waters, and on both shores. It is not found on either shore of the more northern portions of the continent, unless as an ex- ceptional occurrence. It breeds on the interior ponds, rivers, and lakes, from Ore- gon to the more extreme northern portions of the continent. Only a single specimen was obtained by Mr. Salvin from the Lake of Duenas, in Guatemala. Mv. Dresser met with it in Texas — kill- ing two on the Nueces, and seeing others on Turkey Creek. Mr. Dall speaks of it as occiirring at Fort Yukon, where it was breeding in abundance ; but none were seen on the Yukon Eiver to the southwest of that point, nor is there any evi- dence that this species is known on the Pacific coast north of Vancouver Island, where its presence Avas no- ticed by Mr. E. Browne. According to Dr. Cooper this Duck is very common along the Pacific coast, wintering from Puget Sound to San Diego. It is also found on the interior rivers, being quite abundant along the Colorado at that season, arriving in October and remaining until April, when it departs for its northern breeding-places. Dr. Newberry found it more abundant than any other Duck in the lakes and streams of the Cascade Eange, in whose deep solitudes he obtained sat- isfactory evidence that this bird nests, and rears its young, as he frequently met with broods of this Duck. The Vallisneria, on which plant the Canvas-back feeds in the Chesapeake and other waters east of the mountains, is not found on the Pacific coast ; and this spe- cies, being there obliged to live on grass, seeds, and the other usual food of the Duck family, is not considered superior to the Mallard, or even as good as that bird. The Canvas-backs assemble in great flocks in the bays, especially at night ; they sleep on the open water, at which time many are shot by the hunters, who pursue them in Male. 32 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. boats, concealed by means of branches and other disguises, and row silently down into the midst of the flock. On the Pacific coast, however, they are not hunted so much as some other kinds held in higher esteem. This species of Duck extends its winter migrations on the Pacific farther south than California, reaching Mazatlan, in Western Mexico, where Colonel Grayson found it not uncommon during the winter months. Richardson states that in the interior this Duck breeds from the fiftieth parallel to the most northern limit of the Fur Country. Mr. Eoss met with it on Great Slave Lake, but did not observe it any farther north. Captain Blakiston obtained a single specimen at Fort Carlton, in the valley of the Saskatchewan. Mr. Boardman informs me that examples of this species are occasionally taken near Calais, but that its appearance there is very irregular. This bird is also extremely rare on the coast of ^Massachusetts ; yet hardly a year passes that some specimens of it are not brought into the Boston market, chiefly from the county of Barnstable, in the southeastern portion of the State. In November, 1874, a small flock was found off that coast, and seven individuals were brought to the stall of Mr. David A. Dunham, in Qnincy Market. Those Canvas-backs which frequent the shores of Long Island, according to Giraud, return from their breeding-places at the north about the first of November; and in the winter some are occasionally shot in the eastern part of Great South Bay. They are also sometimes taken in Long Island Sound, both on the southern and on the Coiuiecticut shore. Dr. Woods has obtained them on the Connecticut, a few miles above its mouth. Canvas-backs from the vicinity of New York are much inferior to those taken in the Chesapeake and its tributaries, owing to the difference in the quality of their food. This Duck feeds in preference on the root of the Vallis- neria spiralis, called by some tape-grass, and by others, incorrectly, wild celery. This plant grows both in fresh and in brackish water. Where this favorite food cannot be obtained, this Duck feeds on various marine plants and small shellfish, which abound on the coast, and furnish an abundant supply of food to other Ducks of less note. Where this tape-grass cannot be procured, the flesh loses in a great degree that delicacy of flavor for which the Canvas-back is so celebrated. This bird is in the best condition for the table in the latter part of the autumn. These Ducks associate in large flocks ; and when they all rise together from the water the noise made may be heard to a great distance. They are very vigilant, and difficult of approach, except in severe weather, when they may be easily killed at air- openings in the ice. This bird is an excellent diver, and when only wounded can with difficulty be secured. Miller's Island, about fifteen miles from Baltimore, was formerly a famous place for shooting Canvas-backs, as well as other Ducks ; and points on this island, and on others in the vicinity, were rented for large sums. A writer in " Doughty's Cabinet " (I. 41) states that unless the weather at the north has been very severe, the Canvas-back rarely appears in large numbers in Chesa- peake Bay before the middle of November. When first arrived these birds are thin and tasteless, and need several days of undisturbed repose to give them that peculiar flavor for which they are so celebrated. During the low tides succeeding their arrival they sit on the flats far from tlu; shore, and rarely rise to the wing unless disturbed. When the spring-tides render the water too deep for feeding, they pass down the bay in the morning, and return in the evening. By the middle of December, particularly if the weather has been severe, the fowl of every kind have become so fat that Canvas-backs have been known to burst open in the breast in falling on the water. They now spend less time in feeding, pass up ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — ^ETHYIA. 33 and down the Bay, from river to river, in their morning and evening flights, and o&ev at certain localities great opportunities for their destruction. They pursue, even in their short passages, very much the order of their migratory movements, flying in two lines diverging from a centre ; and when the wind blows on the points which lie in their course, the sportsman has great chances of success. The birds avoid, if possi- ble, an approach to the shore ; but when a strong breeze sets them in that direction, they are compelled to pass near the projecting points of land within gunshot. In the Susquehanna and Elk rivers there are few of these points, and success depends on shooting the Ducks on their feeding-grounds. After passing the eastern point at the mouth of the Susquehanna, and Turkey Point on the western side of the Elk, the first place of much celebrity is the "Narrows," between Spesutic Island and the western shore, about three miles in length, and from three to five hundred yards in breadth ; and here the Canvas-backs feed. A few miles down the western shore is Taylor's Island, at the mouth of the Eumney, and also Abby Island, at the mouth of the Bush — both celebrated localities for Ducks, Geese, and Swans. The south point of Bush Biver, and Eobbins's and Rickett's Points, near Gunpowder, are also famous. When disturbed on their feeding-grounds, the birds forsake those haunts and seek others ; therefore in the rivers leading to the Bay, near shooting-points, they should not be annoyed by being shot at from boats, either by night or day, as a repetition of such visits would soon drive the Ducks from their favorite haunts. The best grounds are found on the western side ; and there soiitherly Avinds are the most favorable ones. If a high tide is attended with a smart frost and mild south winds, the number of birds set in motion is inconceivable ; and they approach the points so closely, that even a moderately good shot can procure from fifty to a hundred Ducks in a day. This was once quite a common occurrence ; and the writer quoted has knoAvn eight Canvas-backs to be killed at one discharge. The usiial mode of taking these Ducks was either by shooting them from the point during flight, or by "toling" — an operation by which the birds are sometimes induced to approach Avithin a few feet of the shore from a distance of several hundred yards. A favorable spot is selected, where the Ducks are feeding a iew hundred yards from the shore, and where they can easily approach it closely by swimming. The higher the tides and the calmer the day, the better the chance of success. A kind of poodle-dog, of the breed familiarly known as the "toler," is trained to run along the shore in sight of the Ducks. The dog soon becomes quite expert at the business, and learns, as the Ducks approach, gradually to conceal himself. The nearest Ducks notice this strange appearance, raise their heads, gaze intently, and approach the shore. The rest foUoAv ; and in some cases several thousand Ducks of various kinds have been seen to swim in solid mass direct to the object of their curiosity. By removing the dog farther into the grass they have been attracted to Avithin fifteen feet of the bank. Black- heads can be toled the most readily, then Eed-heads, and next the Canvas-back. Another method of killing Canvas-backs, described by LcAvis, is to boat them on their feeding-grounds in small skiffs, either during the daytime or at night — the latter being the most destructive method. A large SAvivel, carrying several ounces of powder and a pound or more of shot, is placed on the bows of a light boat, and by means of mufiled oars, and under cover of the darkness, this is carried into the ver}^ midst of the sleeping Ducks ; and on firing into their thick columns, great numbers are crippled or killed. This mode of slaughter is considered very disreputable, and has been forbidden by legislative enactments. Boating Ducks on their feeding- grounds, even Avith small guns and by daylight, will soon drive them from their accustomed haunts, and should be condemned by the true sportsman. VOL. II. — 5 34 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. Another ingenious, but very objectionable, way of taking tins Duck, known as " netting," was once resorted to. This consisted in sinking gill-nets a short distance below the surface of the water, so that the Ducks, in diving, would get entangled in the meshes ; and great numbers were secured in this way. But this has the effect of completely driving the Ducks away ; and it was found that when taken in this manner they were hardly lit to eat. Another successful mode of killing Ducks, and one that once was much in vogue, is the use of what are known as " dugouts." These are small boats moored over the flats, concealed from observation as far as possible by quantities of eel-grass thrown over and about them, and surrounded by large numbers of decoys anchored near the vessel. The occupant of the dugout patiently awaits the arrival of the Wild Ducks, which are attracted by the decoys. AVhen the weather is favorable and the Ducks are flying, this plan is very successful ; but it is not successful in cold or boisterous weather. ]\lore recently the old-fashioned dugout has been superseded by the " surface-boat," or " battery," as it is called. This contrivance is anchored on the feeding-ground, and surrounded by decoys. Its construction is such that when anchored out the water is on a level with the deck of the box, the occupant, when reclining, being entirely concealed from observation, so that nothing can be seen even at a distance of only a few hundred feet. Several double-barrelled guns are usually in readiness ; and this battery is accompanied by a companion in a sail or row boat, who keeps at a distance, ready to pick up the dead Ducks, or to render such aid as may be required. The number of Ducks killed in this manner is said to be incredible. A very ingenious contrivance for Duck-shooting was seen by Mr. Lewis on Elk River. This ambush was prepared by taking advantage of low tides, and driving four strong posts in a square into the soft mud, in the centre of a wide expanse of feeding- ground, in the path of the Ducks as they fly up and down the river. The upper por- tions of these posts are perforated with large holes, permitting the introduction of long hickory pins, which pass through and project several inches ; from these pins is suspended a light frame, strong enough to bear tlie weight of the hunter, who is concealed from observation by a pile of cedar-brush or eel-grass — the framework being raised or lowered according to the condition of the tide. This particular kind of blind is well adapted for this river, where the feeding-grounds are quite extensive ; and immense flocks of wild-fowl are occasionally tlius attracted. Another, and often very successful, device for shooting the Canvas-back is by taking advantage of the severity of the weather, which drives the bird from its favorite feeding-grounds, and then enticing them within reach of an ambush on shore, by cutting a large hole in the ice directly over some choice feeding-shoal. Large numbers may be killed in this manner. This species, in and around Chesapeake Bay, has long been regarded as pre-eminent for the richness and delicacy of the flavor of its flesh ; and it is claimed by many that no wild-fowl in any part of the world can vie in this respect with the Canvas- back of these waters. It has been hunted on the Chesapeake and its tributaries with unrelenting greed, until its numbers have been greatly reduced, and many have been driven to more southern regions. This bird always commands a ready sale ; and even when sent to the market by thousands, always brings a high price. "While a few Canvas-backs are met with in the waters of the Hudson, the Delaware, and in other eastern rivers, by far the larger jjortion of them resort to Chesapeake Bay and the adjacent waters. Of late years its numbers have greatly increased along the short rivers of North Carolina. It is also found in abundance on the western lakes, ANATIN.E — THE DUCKS — ^THYIA. 35 and is particularly numerous on Lake Koskonong, in Southern Wisconsin. In March I have seen the markets of Chicago well supplied with this Duck ; and although there in no wise sui:)erior to the jMallard, the Pin-tail, the Teals, and other Ducks, yet commanding twice the market-price of any other species. The Canvas-back extends its migrations to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. In New Orleans it is called the Canard Cheval, and is much esteemed in that city for its delicacy, though far inferior to birds of this species killed on the Chesapeake. It is occasionally found in the markets of Charleston and Savannah ; but it is not there esteemed so highly as are many other kinds. This Duck is also very abundant at times near Galveston, Texas, where it feeds on the seeds of the wild oats, the water- lily, and other plants, and is said to become delicious eating. Messrs. Lockhart and Kennicott have supplied interesting notes in relation to the nesting of this Duck, which was found breeding on the Yukon in great numbers. The eggs were from seven to ten in number, and incubation began about the middle of June. In Eastern Oregon, in the neighborhood of Lake Malheur and Camp Harney, Captain Bendire found this an abundant species during its migrations, and breeding in the higher mountain valleys of the Blue IMountains, where he found it nesting on Bear Creek, at an altitude of six thousand feet. In the spring and fall it frequents the shallow portions of the lakes in immense flocks ; but its flesh is not so well flavored as at the east. The Canvas-back was found breeding at Fort Resolution, as well as on the Yvikon River, by Mr. Kennicott ; on the Yukon also by Mr. J. Lockhart ; at Fort Simpson by Mr. B. Ross ; at Fort Rae by Mr. L. Clarke ; at Fort Yukon by Mr. S. Jones ; on Anderson River by Mr. MacFarlane ; at Nulato by ]\Ir. Dall ; at Sitka by Mr. Bischoff ; and near the mouth of Frazer River by Mr. H. W. Elliott. ]Mr. Lockhart describes the nest of No. 27808 as being formed of rushes and grass, in Avater, and built from the bottom, large and deep ; but less thickly lined with down and feathers than the nests of Ducks usually are. It contained seven eggs. All the nests found, with a single exception, resembled this one, and were similarly situated. They are constructed gradually, as the Duck continues to lay, and are entirely finished when incubation begins. The exception referred to was on the ground in an open place, which had been left dry as the river fell ; the nest in this case was at the foot of a few small willows, and about twenty yards from the water. It was built of down and feathers, and had small sticks on the sides, but little or nothing on the bottom. The feathers in the nest were gray, tipped with chestnut, similar to those on the breast of the Canvas-back. This nest contained eight eggs. Mr. Kennicott describes nest No. 6669 as built from the ground, in water a foot deep, in the grassy edge of a lake. The base was large, and formed of a pile of grass, the nest proper being placed on top. The cavity was large, the sides well built up, and thoroughly lined with down. For the construction of this large base the bird had pulled up or broken off all the dry grass within a yard or two of the nest, thus leav- ing it in a clear place. The shell of the egg is remarkably hard and brittle. From the same nest was taken a second lot of eggs, the female having again made use of it. When first found, in June, it was not complete ; as among all the Ducks the nest is not finished until incubation begins. Eggs of this species from Fort Yukon (Smithsonian Institution, Nos. 6669 and 6660) are of a uniform pale grayish-green color. Four eggs have the following measurements : 2.50 by 1.80 inches ; 2.55 by 1.75 ; 2.60 by 1.80 ; 2.40 by 1.75. 36 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. ^thyia americana. THE RED-HEADED DUCK. Anasfcrhm, WiLS. Am. Orii. VIII. 1814, 110, \A. 70, fig. 6 (not of Linn.). FuUguIa fcrina, Bonai'. Synop. 1828, 392. — Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 452. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 434. — AuD.'oni. Biog. IV. 1838, 198, pi. 322 ; Synop. 1839, 287 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 311, pi. 396. FalujuJa americana, Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 155. Aythtja fcrina, 5, amcricvm, Bonap. Compt. Rend. XLIII. Sept. 1856, 651. Aythya americana, Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 793 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 591. ^thyia americana, ScL. & Salv. Noin. Xcotr. 1873. — Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 618. Aythya fcrina, var. americana, Allen, Bull. M. C. Z. III. 1872, 183. FuHijuIa fcrina, var. americana, Coues, Key, 1872, 289 ; Check List, 1873, no. 503 ; B. N. W. 1874, 575. Faliiful a fcrina americana, CoUES, Che k List, 2d ed. 1882, no. 723. Aythya erythroccphala, Bonap. Comp. I "st, 1838, 58. Hah. Tlie whole of North America, breeding from Central California and Maine, to the Fur Countries ; Bahamas. Sp. Char. Bill much shorter than the middle toe (without claw), broad, the end moderately- depressed, and with the nail decidedly decurved, the culmen about two and a half times the great- est width of the maxilla, and decidedly concave. Adult male: Head and upper half, or more, of the neck rich reddish chestnut, the latter glossed with reddish purple ; lower part of the neck, jugulum, anterior part of the back, lower part of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and crissum, black ; back, scapulars, sides, and flanks, densely vermiculated with white and dusky in about equal proportion ; anal re- gion similarly, but more faintly, marked ; entire abdomen immaculate white ; wing- coverts deep plumbeous-gray, faintly and minutely sprinkled with white ; secondaries ('• speculum ") pale bluish gray, the upper feathers edged with black, the others nar- rowly tipped with white ; primaries dusky, the inner quills slate-gray, except at ends ; tail dusky. Bill pale blue, the end black ; iris red ; feet bluish gray. Adult female : Head and neck grayish brown, darkest above ; the anterior part of the head light- er, almost white on the chin and upper part of the throat ; jugulum, sides, and Hanks dull grayish brown, the feathers tipped with fulvous ; wings as in the male, but the coverts plain slate-color; back and scapulars grayish brown, the feathers with paler tips ; rump, upper tail- coverts, and tail dusky grayish lirown ; anal region paler ; longer lower tail-coverts whitish. Bill plumbeous, the end black ; iris yellow ; i'eet plumbeous. Downy young (No. 82481, St. Clair Flats, Mich., June 29, 1880; W. H. Collins) : Above, ochreous olive-brown, indistinctly relieved by an olive-yellow spot back of eacli wing, one on the hind border of eacli aim-wing, and one on each side of the rump ; entire liead and neck (except pileum and nape), with whole lower parts deep, buff yellow, paler and less yellow on abdomen and anal region. No dark markings whatever on side of head. Bill and feet light colored (brownish in dried skin). Total length, about, 20.00-21.00 inches ; extent, 33.00 ; wing, about 8.50 ; culmen, 2.05-2.25 ; greatest width of bill, .75-85 ; tarsus, 1.60-1.65 ; middle toe, 2.30-2.40. The American Red-head Duck is quite distinct from the Pochard of Europe, though resembling it very closely. The latter has the bill narrower and longer, in fact nearly intermediate in shape Male. ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — iETHYIA. 37 between that of ^. americana and JE. vallisneria ; its color is also different, bein" black crossed by a band of pale blue, instead of pale blue with the end black ; the entire abdomen is undulated with gray, like the sides and flanks, only more delicately, while the back, scapulars, and sides are much Avhiter than in A^. americana. The rich chestnut-red of the neck is destitute of the metallic reddish-purple gloss, while it involves the en- tire neck, even tinging the anterior part of the back, instead of being confined to about the upper half of the neck ; the wing-coverts are also much lighter colored, and, in most speci- mens, very distinctly vermiculated with white, instead of nearly plain slaty gray. In general size the European species is decidedly infe- rior ; the tarsus is considerably shorter, while the middle toe is decidedly longer. The female of the Red-head resembles that of the Ring-neck, or Ring-billed Black-head (Fulix collaris), so closely as to be distin- guished with difficulty, except on direct com- parison. The latter has all the colors darker, however, the fore part of the head and the throat more decidedly white, and the bill much shorter and broader. The different propor- tions, however, afford the surest means of dis- tinguishing them, the two species comparing about as follows : — Female. ^.americana. Wing, 8.50 inches ; culmen, 1.90; greatest width of bill, .85, least width, .75 ; tarsus, 1.60 ; middle toe, 2.30. F. collaris. Wing, 7.50 inches ; culmen, 1.80 ; greatest width of bill, .85, least width, .65 ; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 2.00. The Eed-head Duck lias a distribution more or less general throughout North America, breeding in high northern latitudes down to about 44°, and frequenting in the Avinter the southern portions of the continent as far as Mexico. It is found both on the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts. It was met with on the western coast of Mexico, near Mazatlan, by Colonel Gray- son, and in Northeastern Mexico and Southern Texas by Mr. Dresser. It is given as occurring on the Pacific coast at A^ancouver Island by Mr. K. BroAvne. On the coast of California, according to Dr. Cooper, the Eed-head is not so common as the Canvas- back, but it has been obtained from San Prancisco to San Diego, and throughout the interior in the winter. Dr. Heermann believes that some of these Ducks breed in the marshes of the Sacramento Valley ; and he mentions obtaining several females there in June with their breasts denuded of feathers, as is usually the case with Ducks when sitting on their eggs. Mv. J. A. Allen found this species in great abundance in the valley of Great Salt Lake, Utah. Richardson states that this species breeds in all parts of the Fur Countries, from the fiftieth parallel to their most northern limits. Mr. Boardman informs me that in the summer of 1871 he found a pair of Eed-heads which were evidently breeding in the vicinity of Calais, Me. This statement, coupled with that of Dr. Heermann, goes to show that this species, on both the eastern and the western shores, breeds much farther south than the limit assigned by Dr. Eichardson. Its nest and eggs were afterward, in the summer of 1874, actually found by j\Ir. William Bryant about thirty miles north of Calais. The presence of this bird about Calais had been pre- 38 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. viously noted by Mr. Boardman during each summer, and he liad not doubted that a few pair remain about there for the purpose of rearing their young. They have not been seen there in any large number, and they are rare in Massachusetts, a few only being occasionally obtained in the late fall on the southern shores of Cape Cod. The Red-head is somewhat abundant on Long Island — where, however, according to Giraud, it is not so common as many other species. It is seldom seen in any coid- siderable numbers west of Babylon, being chiefly limited to the eastern part of 8outh Bay, where it is sometimes seen in company with the Canvas-back. Both species not infrequently feed on the same plant, the former eating the stems, and the latter the roots ; these are tender and juicy, and it is to them that the delicate flavor of the flesh of the Canvas-back is due. The Red-headed Duck is also excellent eating, and commands a high price in the New York market — indeed, it is not infrequently sold to the inexperienced as the genuine Canvas-back, which it so strongly resembles. About Egg Harbor, N. J., this Duck is more common than it is on Long Island ; but it is not so abundant there as it is on Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Giraud states that frequent attempts have been made to domesticate this species, and in one instance, at least, with considerable success. A Red-headed Duck in the possession of Mr. Edmund Powell, of Westbury, L. I., became as completely reconciled to its new home as if it had never known any other course of life. The Red-headed Duck makes its appearance on the Long Island coast usually about the first of November, and leaves for its northern breeding-places early in March. A writer in "Doughty's Cabinet " (I. 41) gives the last of October as being nearly the date of its first arrival in the waters of the Chesapeake. These birds from that time on appear in large flocks, and very rapidly distribute themselves over the Bay. Much difference of opinion has been expressed as to the excellence of the flesh of this species ; but the writer quoted believes that this diversity of view is due — in part, at least — to the difference of the food of the bird in different localities. On the Chesapeake, where it feeds in company with the Canvas-back, it is said to be hardly second even to that Duck in the delicacy of its flavor. It is not so restricted to a few localities in Eastern North America as is the Canvas-back; and while abundant in Chesapeake Bay, is also found in considerable numbers in many other regions. It feeds on the blades of the Valllsneria grass when iniable to obtain the roots. It is frequently shot in the waters of the Hudson, the Delaware, and, later in the Avinter, in the streams of the Southern States. Dr. Bryant found it very common in winter at the Bahamas, where it was the most abundant of all the Ducks, occurring in large flocks, acres in extent. At New Orleans, where this Duck was then commonly known as the Dos gris, or Gray-back, Audubon states that it arrives in great flocks early in November, and departs late in April. It is very abundant on lakes St. John, Pontchartrain, and Borgne, keeping in large flocks, and not mingling with any other species. There its food seems to consist of small fishes, for which it is continually diving. It is caught in nets in great numbers, and is easily kept in confinement, as it feeds greedily on crushed Indian corn. In 1816 these and other Ducks were thus taken by the thousand by a Frenchman, who used to send them to market alive in cages. Audubon saw none of these birds during the spring and summer he spent in Labra- dor, nor did he hear of any in Newfoundland ; and on his excursion to Kansas none were seen to the west of the Southwest Pass. In this, however, others have been more successful ; and this bird has been found on the Texan coast. He mentions it as abundant in November, and afterward in December, in the marshes near St. Augustine, in East Florida. It was shy, and kept in company with the Mallards ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — CLANGULA. 39 and other Ducks in shallow fresh-water ponds, at some distance from the sea-shore. In South Carolina he was informed that this species had latterly become much more abundant than it was twenty years before, especially on the Santee River. It is an expert diver when in deep bays and estuaries ; but in shallow ponds in the interior it dabbles in the mud in the manner of the Mallard, and its stomach is filled with tadpoles, small water-lizards, and blades of grass. At other times Audubon found acorns and beechnuts, as well as snails and fragments of the shells of unios, together with much gravel. The notes of this Duck are said to be rough and coarse, and not to have as much resemblance to those of species peculiar to fresh water, as the cries of birds of this family generally have. Its flight is hurried, the bird rising from the water in a confused manner, but being able to continue long on the wing. This bird produces with its wings, when in motion, a clear whistling sound. Audubon regarded this species as identical with the Pochard {M. ferlnd) of Europe. According to the observations of Professor Kumlien, this species is quite common in the waters of Southern Wisconsin, both in the spring and fall. It is not known to occur there in the summer, and is later in its arrival in the fall than the Canvas- back. Mr. B. F. Goss, however, writes me that he has known this species to breed occasionally, but rarely, in his neighborhood — PcAvaukee, Wis. On the 24th of May, 1868, he camped on an island in Horicon Lake, and remained there four days. This lake is twelve miles long and two broad, with numerous islands and grassy bogs ; these were covered to the water's edge with a scattering growth of trees, with thick bushes and weeds. Here various Ducks were breeding in great numbers. On one island, containing about half an acre, the nests were only a few feet apart ; and as he approached, the Ducks rose from their nests in a great flock, and it was difficult to identify the few nests of other species among the great multitude of Mallards. He found eight nests of the Red-head, which were almost always in thick grass or weeds, and near the water, none being more than twenty feet distant. The nests were sometimes slightly elevated, made of any convenient loose material, rather small, and not very neatly finished. They contained from one to five eggs ; but their full complement was probably nine or ten. This Duck was found breeding in great numbers on Manitoba Lake, on Shoal Lake, and in the Selkirk Settlement by Mr. Donald Gunn. Dr. Kennerly observed it at Boca Grande, in Chihuahua, in ]\Iarch, 1855. It was also found on the Janos and Conalitos rivers, at various points, at this season, gener- ally going in pairs, rarely in large flocks, and being very shy. Eggs of this species, procured by Mr. Goss, and now in the Smithsonian Museum (Xo. 15176), are of a grayish white with a slight tinge of cream-color. They vary in breadth from 1.70 to 1.75 inches, and from 2.35 to 2.40 in length. Those from the Selkirk Settlement (Smithsonian Institution, No. 14190), measure 1.70 by 1.35. Genus CLANGULA, Boie. Clangula, Boie, Isis, 1822, 564. — " Flemixo, Pliilos. Zool. II. 1822, 260" (t^^e. Anas clanguJa, LiNX.). (Cf. Dresser, B. Eur. Pt. XLVI. Dec. 1875 ; Ooues, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, April, 1880, 101.) Glaucion, Kaup, Ent. Europ. Tliienv. 1829, 53 (same type; preoccupied in Mollusca ; Oken, 1S16). Bucephala, Baird, B. N. Am. Aug. 19, 1858, 795 (type, Alias albeola, Linn.). Char. Bill much shorter than the head, deep through the base, the lateral outlines converging toward the tip, which is rather pointed than rounded ; lamellae completely hidden by the over- hanging edge of the maxilla ; nostrils situated near the middle of the bill ; tarsus longer than the 40 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. culinen ; tail rather long (about half the Ming), of sixteen feathers. Colors, pied white and black in the male, brown and white in the female. This genus comes nearest in its characters to Histrionicus, but is quite distinct. Three species are known, their special characters being as follows : — Com. Char. Adult: Head and upper part of the neck black, with metallic reflections, and with a patch of white, varying in form with the species ; lower part of the neck, aU round, entire lower C. glaucion. parts, part of scapulars, wing-coverts, and secondaries white ; other upper parts black. Female : The black replaced by brown, the white absent from the head (except in B. alheola), and more restricted elsewhere. A. Size rather large (wing, 7.40 inches or more); male with a white spot before the eye; female without white on the head. 1. C. islandica. Male : White patch on lores wedge-shaped, the head glossed with bluish vio- let ; a broad black bar between the white of the middle and greater wing-coverts. Female : Head dark sepia or purplish snuff-brown ; a distinct black bar across the ends of the greater wing-coverts. Wing, 8.25-9.40 inches ; length of bill to point of basal angle, 1.40-1.80 ; tarsus, 1.30-1.60 ; middle toe, 2.15-2.50. Hah. Northern North America, breeding far southward (at least to Colorado) in higher portions of Rocky Mountains; Greenland ; Iceland ; accidental in Europe. 2. C. glaucion. Male : White patch on lores roundish ; white patch of wings not interrupted by a black bar. Female: Head grayish umber-brown; white wing-patch usually con- tinuous. a. Glaucion.^ Male adult: Wing, 8.50 inches ; bill from tip to basal angle, 1.70-1.80; tar- middle toe, 2.20. Hah. sus, 1.30 Palsearctic Region. ^ Clangula glaucion, Linn. The Golden-eye. Anas claiujtda, Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I. 1758, 12.') ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 201. — Naum. Vog. Deutschl. XII. 1844, 162, pi. 316. Glaucian clangula, Kaup, Naturl. Syst. 53. — Kkys. & PjLAS. Wirb. Eur. 1840, Ixxxvi. Anas glaiicion, Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1. 1758, 120 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 201. Clangula glaucAon, Biikhm, Vog. Deutschl. 929.— Gray, Gen. 15. III. 622 ; Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 202. Anas hyemalis, Pall. Zoog. Piosso. As. II. 1826, 270. Clangula chrysojithalmos, Steph. Gen. Zool. XII. pt. ii. 182, pi. 56. — Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. — Macgill. Man. IL 183. Clangula vulgaris, Flem. Brit. Anini. 1828, 120. Clangula Icucomelas and C. jicrcgrina, Bukh.m, Viig. Deutschl. 1831, 927. Golden-eye, Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 368, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 371, fig. ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — CLANGULA. 41 /3. Americana. Male adult: Wing, 9.25 inches ; bill to basal angle, 1.85 ; tarsus, 1,60 ; mid- dle toe, 2.50. Hab. North America. B, Size small (wing less than 7.00 inches) ; male with a large white patch on each side of the occiput (confluent behind) ; female with a white spot on the auricular region. 3. C. albeola. Wing, 6.00-6.75 inches ; bill from tip to end of basal angle, 1.15-1.25; depth at base, .55-.70; width, .45-.60; tarsus, 1.15-1.25; middle toe, 1.80-2.00. Hab. North America. Clangula islandica. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE, Anas islandica, Gmel. S. N, I. ii. 1788, 541. Bucephala islandica, Baird, B. N Am. 1858, 796 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 594. — Coues, Key, 1872, 290 ; Check List, 1873, no. 506 ; Birds N. W. 1874, 577. Clangula islandica, Bonap. Cat, Met. Ucc. Eur. 1842, 74. — Kidgw. Norn. N. Am, B. 1881, no. 619. —Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, no. 726, Clangula Barrovii, Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 456, pi. 70 (^). Fuligula Barrovii, Nutt. Man. 11. 1834, 444. Clangula scajmlaris, Brehm, Viig. Deutschl. 1831, 932. Fuligula clangula, vav,, AuD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 105, pi. 403 ; Synop. 1839, 292 (part) ; B. Am. VII. 1843. 362 (part ; describes the species as supposed summer plumage of i?. clangula). Hab, Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois, Utah, etc. ; breeding in the high north, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. Greenland ; Iceland ; acci- dental in Europe. Sp. Char, Adult male : Head and upper half of the neck glossy blue-black, with reflections of green, blue, and violet, according to the light ; a somewhat wedge-shaped vertical patch of white C. islandica. across the anterior half of the lores, bordering the lateral base of the bill, the upper part forming an acute angle on each side of the forehead, the lower part rounded. Upper parts velvety black, with a soft bluish-violet tinge ; outer row of scapulars marked -with a mesial cuneate stripe of satiny white, the greater portion of the stripes concealed, so that the exposed portion forms round- ish or oblong spots ; middle wing-coverts white, producing a broad bar ; exposed terminal half of greater coverts, with the whole of the exposed portion of the five or six inner secondaries, white, VOL. II. — 6 42 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AN SERES. forniinf? a large, somewhat cuneate, patch. Outer feathers of the sides and flanks widely edged exteriorly with deep black ; femoral region and sides of crissum dull black. Lower half of neck (all round) and entire lower parts (except as described) pure white. Bill black (in skin) ; iris bri;'ht yellow ; legs and feet pale. Adult female : Head and upper half of the neck dark sepia- brown, consiilerably darker and somewhat more purplish than in the female of C. glaucion; lower part of the neck, all round, white, sometimes tinged with gray on the nape. Upper parts dark grayish- brown, the scapulars, interscapulars, and smaller wing- coverts tipped with lighter ash-gray ; last two or three rows of middle wing-coverts tipped with white, form- ing a broken, rather narrow, transverse patch ; greater coverts with the terminal half of their exposed portion white, as in the male, but distinctly tipped with black- ish, forming a conspicuous dusky bar between the white of the coverts and that of the inner secondaries. Jug- ulum and sides ash-gray, the feathers darker and more brown beneath the surface, the Ijreast lighter and more uniform, the flanks darker ; other lower parts pure white. Bill usually party-colored (black and yellow), but sometimes wholly black. Adult male : Wing, 9.00-9.40 inches ; culmen, 1.65 -1.80; depth of bill at base, .95-1.10, width .75-.85 ; tarsus, 1.50-1.60; middle toe, 2.45-2.50. Adult female : Wing, 8.25-8.75 inches; culmen, 1.40-1.60 ; depth of bill, .85-.90 ; width, .70; tar.sus, 1.30-1.60 ; middle toe, 2.15-2.20. Bearing in mind the salient points of difierence, as given on p. 40, there need never be any dilHculty in distinguishing the adult male of this very distinct species from that of C. glaucion. With the female, however, the case is very difl'erent ; the two species being so much alike that, with the series at our command (about twenty specimens, including six unquestionably referable to G. islandica'), we must acknowledge our inability to give infallible points of distinction. The examples which are known to represent C. islandica difter from the positively determined females of G. glaucion in the following respects : (1) The color of the head and upper half of the neck is considerably darker, being a rich sepia- or snuff-brown, rather than gi'ayish brown ; (2) the greater wing-coverts are distinctly tipped with black, forming a conspicvious dusky stripe between the two larger white areas of the wing, which in G. glaucion are (usually, at least) merged into one con- tinuous space. Further than these we find no distinction, while indeed some examples are so decidedly intermediate in both respects as to render it quite uncertain to which species they belong. Of the two characters named, however, the color of the head is far the more constant, and may, perhaps, be found quite distinctive. Male. Barrow's Golden-eye, or the Rocky Mountain Golden-eye, as it was very appro- priately called by iSTuttall, is almost exclusively a Nortli American species, occurring in the interior among the mountains, from Southern Colorado, and probably even farther south, to the Yukon on the northwest, and Greenland on the east. It is also a resident in Iceland, and in a very few instances straggles into Europe. A single individual was taken in Spain by Mr. Ho"ward Saunders, and four individuals are recorded as having been taken on the coast of Norway at different times and places. With these exceptions, it is not known to be a European species. Up to the present time this species has been strangely overlooked by some writers, while the nature of its geographical distribution has been entirely misunderstood. It was unknown to Wilson, and it escaped the notice of Audubon ; and, more recently, Dr. Coues refers to it in different works as belonging to Arctic America and to North- ern Europe, mentioning it as being the most northerly of the genus, and as having ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — CLANGULA. 43 apparently a Circumpolar distribution, while I can find no evidence that it is either of Arctic or Circumpolar occurrence. It has not been found east of Iceland, either in Europe or Asia ; neither is it known to nest anywhere within the Arctic Circle. It is both a northern and a mountain species, breeding in Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska up to 64° 30' north latitude, and occurring throughout the Eocky Mountains from high northern regions at least as far to the south as 38° north latitude. It is also seen during the breeding-season in Maine and New Brunswick, and probably throughout the British Provinces generally. It is found on the Atlantic coast in winter as far south at least as Southern Massachusetts, and on the Pacific up to a limit not yet ascertained. Its presence in the more northerly portion of the Eocky Mountains, among the valleys, was first noted in 1831 by Dr. Eichardson, who describes its habits as being very similar to those of the Common Golden-eye ; and, three years later, Mr. Xuttall (" Water Birds," p. 444) mentions it as occurring in the Eocky Mountains ; but whether on the authority of his own observations or of those of Dr. Eichardson, he does not state. More recently. Dr. Cooper w^as the first of our naturalists to recall the fact of its being found among the mountains of the United States. (See '^ Fauna of Montana," Am. Nat. III., p. 83.) Holboll and Eeinhardt have also recorded it as being a bird of Greenland, in the southern part of which country it breeds ; and it has been procured in the neighbor- hood of Godthaab and Nenortalik. Its range is there restricted to a narrow belt between 63° 45' and 64° 30'. North of this the natives have no knowledge of its occurrence. Mr. Boardnian informs me that a few birds of this species are seen each summer in the neighborhood of Calais, Me., and that they undoubtedly breed there, but that as yet he has not been able to discover their nests. They are somewhat rare in the region at that season, but become much more common on the St. Croix Eiver in the winter, and also in the Bay of Fundy. Mr. William BreAvster, of Cambridge, obtained an adult female in the flesh from Cape Cod, Mass., Dec. 7, 1871. Since then he has met with several females and two adult males in the Boston Market, most of which were shot within the limits of Massachusetts. It is noAv thought to be more common on that coast in the winter than had been previously supposed. Mr. Nelson states that Barrow's Golden-eye is a Avinter resident on Lake Michi- gan, and that it is found at that season irregularly throughout the State of Illinois. This bird was obtained on the Wabash, at Mount Carmel, in December, 1874, by Pro- fessor Stein ; and Mr. Nelson has observed it at Chicago. Dr. Hoy procured a speci- men at Eacine in 1860. It is probably not uncommon on Lake Michigan ; but the winter season is unfavorable for procuring it, or even for ascertaining its numbers. This species has been procured by Dr. Hayden in the interior of the United States, and subsequently, in 1872, by Mr. Henshaw, who is inclined to regard this as a species occurring regularly and in considerable numbers on Utah Lake, where two specimens were taken by him, and where — as he Avas assured by the hunters — some are shot every Avinter, although this species is less abundant than the common Golden-eye, from Avhich it is easily distinguished. JNIr. Edwin Carter, of Colorado, Avas probably the first person actually to secure the nest and eggs of this species, Avhose presence in the mountains of that region had been Avell knoAvn to him for several years. A set of seven eggs obtained by him is noAV in the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Cambridge. Mr. Carter writes me that '' the usual nest complement of Barrow's Golden-eye is from six to ten, varying 44 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. with the age and vigor of the parents.'' In 187G he took a nest of ten eggs, which contained large embryos, and also another set of six; another clutch (that sent to the Museum) consisted of seven. He writes that he has met with several young broods numbering from six to eight, and one of ten. These birds nest in hollow trees ; and it is surprising to see in what small cavities they in some instances can accommodate themselves. The following season he examined a great many trees, and every one that had a suitable opening either contained an occupant or indicated former nesting by egg-shells and other marks. This species is not known to occur in California ; but Dr. Cooper has no doubt that it will yet be found among the mountains of the northeastern portion of the State. Mr. Dall speaks of it as present, but rare, on the Yukon Eiver ; and specimens were obtained by Bischoff at Sitka. An individual was taken by Mr. M. McLeod in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, June 29, 1863. On the 14th of June, 1864, Mr. MacFar- lane obtained a male example at Fort Anderson. It had been in the habit of flying over the fort for several evenings in succession, and was at length shot on a small lake. The female, without doubt, had her nest somewhere in the vicinity, but she eluded his endeavors to discover the place. Mr. MacFarlane adds that this species may be classed among the rarest of the Ducks visiting that region. jNIr. C. W. Sheperd, in his visit to Iceland, found this Duck breeding on a small island in the Lake of My-vatn, in the northern part of that island. This islet was occupied almost exclusively by two species — the Golden-eye and the Mergus serrator. The soil was composed of broken lava, and both species were breeding in holes, some of their nests being entirely out of reach, in the cracks and crevices of the lava. The two species were found to live together in the most familiar manner, and upon the best of terms. A female Merganser was found sitting on a nest evidently not her own, but which contained four eggs belonging to B. islandicus ; the difference between the eggs of the two species being so strongly marked as to admit of no possibility of confounding them. Two eggs of this species from the Yukon (Smithsonian Institution, No. 9547) measure 2.40 by 1.60 inches, and 2.40 by 1.70 ; two from Iceland (Smithsonian Insti- tution, No. 13409), 2.55 by 1.80, and 2.45 by 1.80. They are of a uniform deep grayish pea-green color. Clangula glaucion americana. THE AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. Anas clangula, WiLS. Am. Orn. VIII. 1814, 62, pi. 67, lig. 5. Fidi'jula clangula, Bon AV. Synop. 1828, 393. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 441. — AUD. Orn. Biog. IV. 1838, 318, pi, 342 ; Syno]). 1839, 292 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 362, pi. 406 (includes islandica). Bucrphala clangula, CouES, Key, 1872, 290 ; Check List, 1873, no. 505 ; B. N. W. 1874,576. Clangula glauciam, CoUES, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, no. 725. Clangula vulgaris, Sw. & Ilicii. F. B. A. II. 1831, 456. » Clangula americana, Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. Buccjihala americana., Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 796 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 593. Clangula glaiicium americana, KiDGW. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 3, 1880, 204 ; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 620. Hab. The whole of North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces, north- ward ; south to Cuba in winter. Sp. Char. Adult male : Head and upper half of neck black, glossed with dark green, varying to violet ; a roundish white .spot between the rictus and the eye, but not reaching to the latter ; back, inner scapulars, tei tials, rump, and upper tail-coverts, deep black ; lower half of the neck ANATIXiB — THE DUCKS — CLANGULA. 45 Male. (all round), lower parts, outer scapulars, posterior lesser, middle and greater \vin"-coverts and secondaries, pure white ; anterior lesser wing-coverts, and outer edges of scapulars and flank feath- ers, and concealed portion of greater coverts, deep black ; primaries blackish dusky ; tail dull slate ; sides of the anal region behind the flanks clouded with grayish. Bill deep black; iris bright yellow ; feet orange-yellow, with dusky webs. Adult female : Similar to that of C islandica, but head and neck hair-brown or grayish brown, rather than purplish sepia or snulf-browu, and white on the wing usu- ally not interrupted l:)y a distinct black bar. Downy young : i Upper parts generally, including the whole upper half of the head, to the rictus, and considerably below the eyes, the jugulum, sides, and thighs, deep sooty brown, lighter and more grayish on the jugulum; the brown of the upper parts relieved by about eight spots of grayish white, as follows : one on the posterior border (sec- ondary region) of each wing ; one on each side the back ; one on each side the rump, at the base of the tail, and one on each flank just before the brown of the thighs. Chin, throat, and cheeks pure white, in abrupt and decided contrast to the brown, which entirely surrounds it ; remaining lower parts grayish white. Bill brownish ; nail yellowish. Adult male: Total length, about 18.50 to 20.00 inches ; extent, 31.00 ; wing, about 9.25 ; length of bill, from tip to end of basal angle, 1.85 ; depth at base, 1.00 ; width, .85 ; tarsus, 1.60 ; middle toe, 2.50. Adult female: Total length, 16.50; extent, 26.75 ; wing, 8.25 ; culnien, 1.60 ; depth of bill at base, .90, width, .70 ; tarsus, 1.40 ; middle toe, 2.20. As stated under the head of C. islandica (p. 42), we are unable to discover, in the material at our com- mand (consisting of upward of twenty specimens, in- cluding six unquestionable C, islandica and many more equally undoubted C. glaucion') positive points of distinction between the female of the common and of that of Barrow's Golden-eye. All specimens, however, possessing no dusky bar across the ends of the greater wing-coverts, thus interrupthig the white wing-patch, should probably be referred to the present species. The females of both species are so variable in every character we have tested that it is quite impossible to say to which some examples should be referred.^ Upon comparing a series of two males and as many females of the European Golden-eye (i>. clangula) with a very large number of American specimens, we are unable to detect any difference in coloration. The difi'erence in size, however, is so great, and moreover constant, as fully to justify their separation as distinct races. Female. 1 Described from No. 23261, New Brunswick ; G. A. BoAnnMAN. 2 In a paper entitled " On the Golden-eyes, or Garrets, in Nova Scotia," Mr. J. Bernard Gilpin arrives at the same conclii.sion, after careful study of specimens in the flesh (see pp. 398, 399). This paper, which, in its way, is ([uite a monograph, is evidently an extract from some larger publication, the title of 46 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. The American Golden-eye, ■• \Miistleiv' and " Great Head," as it is variously known in different parts of the United States, has a very extended distribution, being found as far south as Florida and Mexico during the winter, and in summer to the highest northern limits. It breeds from the 42d parallel northward, and is found in winter on both coasts from about the same parallel southward. Captain lUakiston records it as having been first seen by him on the Saskatchewan, at Fort Carlton, on the 10th of April. He also received specimens from Hudson's Bay. JNIr. Bernard Boss mentions finding it along the Mackenzie Eiver as far north as the Arctic coast. According to Bichardson, it frequents the rivers and fresh-water lakes throughout the Fur Countries in great numbers. In that region it appears to Ije by no means shy, allowing the sportsman to approach sufficiently near ; but it dives so dexterously at the flash of the gun or at the twanging of the bow, and is so difficult to kill, that the natives believe it to be endowed with a supernatural power. This species was found by Colonel Grayson near Mazatlan, in Western Mexico, where, as he states, it is common during the winter months. A single specimen is reported as having been taken in Bermuda in April, 1854. I can find no record of its occurrence in any of the West India Islands, though its presence in Southern Florida is suggestive of an occasional visit to Cuba. The nest of this species was found by Mr. Lockhart on the Yukon, June 18. It contained six eggs. The nest was in a hole high up in a poplar-tree, about an arm's length deep from the mouth of the hole. INIr. Dall met with it at Nulato, where it Avas the first Duck killed. May 3, 1868. It is always early in arriving, and is common both on the Yukon and on the Pacific coast, near the mouth of that river. Its eggs were obtained from near Bastolik from the marshes. The skin of this Duck, which, after being stuffed and decorated with beads, had been used as an ornament in the lodge, was bought from some Indians on the Yukon, near the Mission. Mr. B. Browne met with this species on the Pacific at Vancouver Island. Dr. Cooper states that it is abundant along the whole Pacific coast from Puget Sound to San Diego, and beyond ; and although not common on the fresh waters of the interior, it frequents Salt Lake, and probably other lakes east of the Sierra Nevada. It is generally recognizable from a distance by the shrill noise which it makes as it rises slowly from the surface of the water when starting to fly. It seems to be perfectly silent in California during the winter, making no noise, except that produced by the whistling of its wings. It is generally shy ; though, trusting to its dexterity in div- ing, it will allow of a very near approach. This species dives so very quickly at the flash of the powder that it could not be shot with the old-fashioned flint-lock. Its ft)od consists of small fish, crabs, and marine plants, and its flesh is in consequence rather fishy, and inferior for the table. At Unalashka Mr. Dall found it a winter visitor, migrating landward in the spring. Mr. George A. Boardman has found this species common in the neighborhood of Calais during the summer months, where it breeds in stumps and in hollow trees. In Massachusetts it is quite abundant both in the spring and fall, many of these Ducks wintering in the State at places where open water can be found. Large flocks often spend each winter in the open parts of Charles Biver, between the Mill-dam and Cambridge Bridge. In very severe weather, if that portion of the river is obstructed by ice, the birds are temporarily driven to the open harbor, but invariably return when the ice is broken up. They are excessively shy, and unapproachable when which we are unable to quote, since no clew is given in the extfa edition of the i:)aper in question. Dr. Cones (see "Key to North American Birds," p. 290) also admits his inability to distinguish the females of the two species. ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — CLANGULA. 47 disturbed, but generally appear as much at home in this land-locked basin as if in their wild retreats, swimming up to within a few rods of the dwellings in Beacon Street, or diving under the much-frequented bridges. On Long Island, as Mr. Giraud states, the Golden-eye is better known amono- the hunters as the " Whistler," from the peculiar noise produced by its wings when fly- ing. By others it is also called the " Great-Head," from its beautifully rich and thickly crested head. On that island it is said to be a not very abundant species, arriving there in company with other migratory Ducks. He met with it in the fall and spring on the Delaware and in Chesapeake Bay, as well as at Egg Harbor and on Long Island. In the interior it is said to be much more common. Its food seemed to consist of small shell and other fish, which it procures by diving. In the fall its flesh is said to be about equal or even superior to that of the Scaup Duck. It is very shy, and is decoyed with great difficulty. In stormy Aveather it often takes shelter in the coves with the Scaup Duck, and there it may be more readily killed. It iisually flies very high, and the whistling sound produced by the action of its wings is the only noise that it makes as it proceeds. Audubon found the Golden-eye abundant in South Carolina during the winter, where at times it frequented the preserves of the rice-planters. He also met with it at that season on the watercourses of Florida. In the Ohio Eiver he found it pre- ferring the eddies and rapids, and there it was in the habit of diving for its food. Naturally the Golden-eye is chiefly seen in company with the Buffle-head, the Mer- ganser, and other species that are expert divers like itself. When wounded, unless badly hurt, its power of diving and of remaining under water is so remarkable that it cannot be taken. In 1842 ^Ir. Jonathan Johnson, of Nahant, shot a male of this species, wounding it in the head and stunning it. The back part of the skull had been shot away, and the bird was supposed to be mortally Avounded. It, however, appeared to recover, fed readily on corn, and became quite tame. It was purchased by the late Thomas Lee, Esq., and kept by him in an enclosure. But the cover of its enclosure being one day incautiously opened, the bird, which had seemed reconciled to confinement, suddenly bounded upward through the open space, and disappeared. The flight of the Whistler is powerful, rapid, and protracted. On rising from the water it proceeds at first very low, and does not ascend to its usual height until it has gone a considerable distance. Although generally a very silent bird, yet just before it leaves for its breeding-places in the spring, the male has a rough croaking note ; and this note may also be heard if, having fallen Avounded to the ground, it is taken alive. Audubon pronounces the flesh of this Duck fishy and unfit for food. This may be true where it has been rendered rank and strong by some peculiar kind of food, but birds of this species taken near Boston that I have eaten Avere far from being unpala- table. It feeds on shellfish, mollusca, marine vegetables, and seeds, and m confine- ment Avill readily eat corn and grain. In Southern Wisconsin, according to the observations of Professor Kumlien, Ducks of this species are found sparingly in the spring, but are more abundant in the fall, a few being known to pass the Avinter in that locality, wherever they can find deep and open water. They do not, however, remain there during the summer. Eggs of this species closely resemble those of the islandiea, being uniformly of a pale grayish pea-green color. Tavo from Moose Kiver, Southern Hudson Bay (Smith- sonian Institution, No. 4338), measure 2.55 by 1.70 inches, and 2.50 by 1.70. Three from Fort Eae (No. 5032), Great Slave Lake, are of a deeper green, and measure, two, 2.35 by 1.70 inches, and one 2.30 by 1.70. 48 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AK SERES. Clangula albeola. THE BUFFLE-HEADED DUCK; BUTTEK-BALL. Anas albeola, LinnJ S. K. ed. 10, I. 1758, 124 ; ed. 12, I. 1766, 199. — Wils. Am. Orn. VIII. 1814, 51, pi. 62, figs. 2, 3. i^i