LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 345 



LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 



LITTLE BLACKHEAD. LITTLE BLUEBILL. 



Aythya affinis. 



Char. Similar in coloration to marila nearctica, but in the present 

 species the gloss of the head is purple instead of green, and the flanks 

 are pencilled with dusky instead of being unmarked. Size smaller, length 

 about 16 inches. 



Nest. Sometimes on an island, but usually in the marshy margin of a 

 stream or pond, hid amid the ranker herbage close to the water ; made 

 of grass and weed-stems and lined with down. 



E-ggs. 6-9; pale dull buff tinged with olive ; 2.25 X 1.60. 



The slight difference between this bird and its larger ally has 

 caused such confusion of the two that the distinctive distribution 

 and habits of the present species has not been determined. Both 

 are classed with the Sea Ducks, yet both build their nests by in- 

 land \vaters usually, and not on the sea-coast. The nests are gen- 

 erally by an inland stream, but Dr. Bell reports finding several on 

 Nottingham Island, in Hudson Bay. 



Of the two birds the present is less frequently found on salt 

 water even in winter. During the migrations it is uncommon along 

 the shores of northern New England and the Provinces, though 

 Mr. Brewster considers it common on the Massachusetts coast in 

 the fall, while rare in the spring. It winters farther south than 

 does the larger bird, and is more plentiful on the streams and creeks 

 running into Chesapeake Bay than at any locality to the northward. 

 It is very abundant along the lower valley of the Mississippi, and 

 Dr. Coues reported finding it abundant on the upper Missouri. 

 Thompson reports it " an abundant summer resident" of Manitoba. 



Audubon considered this species could be approached easily, 

 while feeding; but the examples I have met with have been rather 

 wary, and though they rose from the water with difficulty, and 

 therefore rarely took wing, they generally managed to swim out 

 of the range of my gun. 



Authors differ as to the origin of the name given to these birds, 

 some referring it to their fondness for mollusks, while others think 

 the cry is responsible for the name, which sounds like the word 

 scaiip, delivered by a harsh voice in a screaming tone. The cry is 

 exceedingly discordant. 



