84 HISTORY OF THE 



huddling together; and when at such times they suddenly spring 

 into the air, the roaring noise made by their wings is astounding. 

 Their nests are usually placed on dry, grassy grounds, at or 

 near the water's edge; a mere excavation, with but little and 

 sometimes no material except down. Eggs usually six to nine, 

 2.54x1,71; pale buffy olive gray; in form, oval to ovate. A 

 set of eight eggs, taken June 14th, 1882, in Labrador, measure: 

 2.61x1.70, 2.51x1.70, 2.51x1.70, 2.58x1.70, 2.50x1.70, 2.57x 

 1.71, 2.58x1.70, 2.50x1.71. 



Aythya affinis (Ett.). 



LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 

 PLATE VI. 



Migratory; quite common. Arrive early in March to first of 

 April; return late in the fall, 



B. 589. E. 615, C. 721. G. 293, 37. U. 149, 



Habitat, North America in general; breeding chiefly north 

 of the United States; south in winter to Guatemala and the 

 West Indies. 



Sp. Char. "Entirely similar to A.marila nearctica, but smaller. Beyond 

 the decidedly smaller size, we cau perceive no difference between this bird and 

 A. marila nearctica which seems to be constant. In most of the specimens be- 

 fore 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 lusterless, in many examples 

 forming quite a distinct collar, as in specimens of A. collar-is, though the color 

 is never so rufesceut as in the latter species. The zigzag markings on the back 

 and scapular appear to be, as a rule, somewhat coarser than in A. marila nearc- 

 tica. As in the larger species, the sides and flanks may be either marked with 

 dusky or quite immaculate." 



stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 16.50 29.00 8.00 2.70 1.45 1.65 



Female... 15.50 28.00 7.75 2.50 1.40 1.60 



I have found this widely-distributed species very common, 

 from the Atlantic to the Pacific; usually in flocks upon the 

 streams and ponds, also along the coast in brackish waters, but 

 seldom out upon the open bays, where nearctica loves to resort. 

 In other respects their habits are the same. Their eggs are 

 smaller. A set of six eggs, taken June 20th, 1886, in Alaska, 



