NATATORES — ANATLLVE — FULIGULA. 323 



The Red-head, as it is usually called, breeds in high northern latitudes. It reaches the 

 coast of this State in November, and may be seen here during the whole winter. It is not as 

 common as the preceding, which it closely resembles, and with which it is frequently con- 

 founded even by epicures. In flavor it is scarcely inferior to the Canvass-back, from which 

 it may be at once distinguished by the shape of its bill and the color of its eyes. It ranges 

 from Massachusetts (according to Dr. Brewer) to the Mississippi. It has hitherto been con- 

 founded also with a closely allied species, the Pochard {F.ferina) of Europe. From this it 

 has lately been separated by the Prince of Canino, as a distinct American species. 



THE BROADBILL. 



FULIGULA MARILA. 

 PLATE CXIV. FIG. 252. 



Anas marila, Lin. p. 196. Scaup Duck, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 565. 

 A id. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 84, pi. 69, fig. 3. 



Fuligula id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 392. Nuttall, Man. Ornith. Vol. 2, p. 437. Giraud, 

 Birds of Long island, p. 321. 



Characteristics. Mirror white, on the quills and secondaries. Bill very broad. No crest. 

 Male, glossy black ; scapulars minutely waved with white. Female, 

 brown; near the bill, whitish. Length, 19 '0. 



Description. Bill broad, enlarged and flattened towards the end, 2'3 long. 



Color. Male: Head, neck, breast and fore part of the back black, glossed with green on 

 the sides of the head and neck, and tinged with purple. Beneath white, undulated with black 

 towards the vent. Rump and upper tail-coverts dusky brown. Back varied with undulating 

 bars of white. The white mirror crosses the secondaries and inner primaries. Bill greyish 

 blue, blackish at the tip. Wings brownish grey. Female : Head, neck and fore part of 

 the breast reddish brown : a broad white patch on the forehead. Upper parts brownish 

 black ; lower part of the breast and the abdomen white ; the middle of the back and the 

 scapulars obscurely undulated with whitish. 



Length, 19-0-19-5. 



This species breeds in high northern latitudes, and appears on our coast about the begin- 

 ning of October in large flocks. It remains here late in the winter, and returns again in the 

 spring on its northwardly migration. It is only known on this coast under the name of 

 Broad-bill, and more rarely Blue-bill. On the Chesapeake, according to Mr. Giraud, it is 

 called Black-head, and in Virginia Raft-duck. It is highly prized by epicures on this coast ; 

 and indeed, when in good condition, is scarcely inferior to the Canvass-back. It is common 

 to Europe and America. 



41* 



