THE RING-NECKED DUCK. 193 



under water. The group contains only eight species the 

 world over. They are mostly in the northern hemisphere, 

 some two species having been found in South America. 

 The beautiful Smew or White Nun of Europe is only acci- 

 dental in America. 



THE RING-NECKED DUCK. 



On my return from Lake Ontario, I find that a friend has 

 shot a pair of Ring-necked Ducks {Fuligula collaris) on the 

 New York and Erie Canal. This species, which is peculiar 

 to North America, is a rather rare migrant in Western 

 New York, as also in the central parts of the State, and to 

 the eastward generally. In size and shape, including even 

 the shape of the bill, it is very nearly related to the Scaups. 

 In color, also, the females of the Scaups and Ring-neck are 

 very similar, both being of a light brown, and white under- 

 neath. The former can readily be distinguished, however, 

 by her white band at the base of the upper mandible, while 

 the latter has the white band only at the base of the lower 

 mandible. The male of the Ring-neck is distinguishable 

 from that of the Scaup by the dark brown of the entire 

 upper parts; by his gray speculum, his chestnut ring around 

 the middle of the neck, but more particularly by the two 

 almost white rings around the dark bill, the one at the base 

 and the other near the tip. The Ring-neck bears a close 

 resemblance to the Tufted Duck of Europe, and for some 

 time was supposed to be the same. Rising readily out of 

 the water, it flies rapidly and high, producing a whistling 

 sound with its wings. Not appearing in large flocks, only 

 some fifteen or twenty being seen together at a time, they 

 fly rather scattered, and so afford but a poor mark to the 

 slaughterer. Diving for their food after the manner of the 

 Scaups, they subsist on crays, small fishes, snails, frogs, 

 13 



