24 THE GAME BIRDS 
from the Mississippi Valley. These Western 
birds are not possessed of the same delicacy 
of those from the Chesapeake, and it is a mat- 
ter of serious doubt whether it is ever the peer 
of the Shoveller, much more the superior. 
Audubon pronounces in favor of the latter, 
while Wilson inclines to the former, but 
Audubon was original, while Wilson, with all 
his genius, from which I would not for the — 
world detract one icta, was more swayed by 
other’s opinions. ‘These birds are famous for 
their diving and swimming small s and 
when wounded will often escape in this way, 
oftentimes seizing a sunken root with a death 
erip and never arising to the surface. 
21.: AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK. 
BLUE-BILL. BROAD-BILL. RAFTDUCK. 
A ythya marila nearetica. 
Head, neck and breast black, in the drake, 
as is also the rump, tail, and body of wings; 
more inclined to a brownish shade in the fe- 
male. Wing tips hehter than body, and the 
wing patch is white; belly nearly white, and 
baci black and white in zig-zag lines, much 
like the Canvas-back ; bill blue; feet black ; 
eyes yellow. ‘The female has a distinct white 
face, formed by a white ring around the upper 
part of the bill and just back of it. Length 
about 20 inches. Extent of wings eenerally 
over 30 inches. 
