792 THE CAN\'AS-RACK. 



In their family affairs the Redheads are somewliat eceentric, and also 

 seem to be of rather a long-suffering disposition. Xests hax'e been found con- 

 taining as many as t\\enty-ti\-e or thirty eggs, which seems good e\ idcnce of 

 the combined efforts of at least two females. They are also imposed upon by 

 other species of ducks, which not infre(|uentlv make a foster mother of the 

 obliging Redhead. In the extent nf persuading her to hatch out and rear six or 

 seven ducklings which are not her own. 



J. H. Bowi.r:.^. 



No. 317. 



CANVAS-BACK. 



A. O. U. No. 147. Manila vallisneria iW'ils. ;„ 



Description. — . Idiilt male: Similar to iireceding sjiccies. hut larger, head 

 larger, bill longer, and no evident angle between bill and forehead: head and 

 upper neck reddish brown without pur])lish gloss, blackening on crown and chin: 

 the sides less heavily waved with dusky : the white liars of upperparts much wider 

 than the dnskv (hence entire back conspicuousl\- lighter in tone): u|)per mandi- 

 ble duskv at base, bluish onh- between nostril and black tiji : iris red. .Idiilt 

 female: Similar to that of preceding species, but proportioned like male; bill cor- 

 respondingly different: leathers of back and scapulars more or less wavy- 

 barred with white. The female Red-head is s|>aringly S])eckled al)o\c with dusky 

 and whitish, but never barred. Length 20.00-23.50 ( 5oS-59r).9 ) : wing 9.00 

 (228.6) : tail 2.90 ( y-^.y) ; bill 2.35 ( 59.7 > : tarsus 1.75 (44-5^- 



Recognition Marks. — Alallard size: slope of culmen continuous with fore- 

 head: reddish brown head and light canvas back. For detailed comparison with 

 .1 . ameiicaiia see above. 



Nesting. — Next: ou the ground of marshes and grassy sloughs, of grasses, 

 etc.. lined .sparingly with feathers. E(/(/s: 6-io. buffy white with a greenish or 

 bluish tinge. .\v. size, 2.45 x 1.75 (62.2 .\ 44.5 1. Season: c. June 1st : one brood. 



General Range. — Xearlv all of North .\merica, breeding from the north- 

 western states northward to .\laska. 



Range in Washington. — West-side, rather common winter resident on salt 

 water, found cliieth- about mouths of rivers and on tide-flats: Kast-side, not 

 common migrant and rare summer resident. 



Authorities. — [Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. ( 1S14) Ivl, Hi.ldle: Coues. \'ol. 

 IL p. 19^.1 Avthva Talisiieriaiia. Newberry, Rep. Rac. R. R. Siu'v. \'\. pi. 1\'. 

 1857. p. ^o,v t. C&S. L-. Rh. Kb. Kk. L. E. 



Specimens. — ( V. of W. ) Preiv. P.. E. 



TO be classed as a reference book for epicures is far from being the 

 main object of "The Birds of Washington." However, the etlible cpialities of 



