THE BIRD BOOK 



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153. BuFFi.E-iiEAu. Charitonetta alhcola. 



Range. — North America, breeding from United 

 States northward. Winters south to Mexico. 



Gunners know this handsome little duck by 

 the names of "Butter-ball," and "Dipper," a name 

 also given to Grebes. It is also quite similar, but 

 smaller (15 in. long), to the American Golden-eye 

 Itut has a large white patch on the back of the 



Buff 



Dull buff 



head, from eye to eye. It is an active bird and, 

 like the two preceding, is capable of diving to a 

 great depth to get its food. Its nesting habits 

 lire like the preceding. Eggs eight to fourteen. 

 Size 2 X 1.40. Data. — Alberta, Canada, June 6, 

 IS99. Seven eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump, 

 lined with down. Collector, Dr. George. 



! .") t. Old-squaw. Harelda hyevialis. 



Range. — Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the 

 Arctic regions; south in winter to New Jersey 

 and Illinois. 



The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called, 

 is especially noticeable because the 

 breeding plumage of the male differs 

 markedly from that in the winter. In 

 ^x summer their general plumage is black- 



ish brown, with a white patch around the 

 \ eye, and white belly. In winter they are 

 ' largely white. The central tail feath- 

 • ers are much lengthened. They breed 

 abundantly in Greenland, Alaska and the 

 Hudson Baj' Territory, placing their 

 nests of grasses and weeds on the ground 

 near the water. It is generally conceal- 

 ed in the long grass. The eggs numoer 

 from six to twelve. Size 2. x 1.50. Data. — 

 N. Iceland, June 10, 1900. Nest on ground, 

 lined with down. Collector, S. H. Wallis. 



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