THE RUFFLEHEAD. 803 



white; reminiscences of white coverts of male in shape of two or three central 

 spots on greater coverts ; remaining plumage above, grayish dusky, below silky 

 white, shading on sides and hind-neck. Length 14.00-13.25 1 355-'i-387.4 ) : av. 

 of six males: wing 6.67 ( 169.4) ; tail 2.93 (74.4) : l-iill i.io 127.91 • tarsus 1. 31 

 {33.3). Female smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — Teal size : plumage extensively white ; head black, 

 with large sharply defined patch of white from eye to eye behind. Similar spot 

 much reduced, distinctive for female. Expert diver. 



Nesting. — Xcst: in hollow of tree or stump or in crevice of clitf. lined with 

 grasses, feathers, etc. Eggs: 6-14, pale olive gray, creamy, or buffy white. Av. 

 size, 1.98x1.46 (50.3x37.1). Season: c. Mav 20; one brood. 



General Range. — North .America; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 

 F>reeds from the northern border States northward, thru the Fur Countries and 

 Alaska. 



Range in Washington. — Abundant migrant and resident in winter, dis- 

 tributed tliruout the State but especially common coastwise; sparingly resident in 

 summer, chiefly in northern portion of East-side. 



Authorities. — [Lewis and Clark. Hist. Ex. ( 1814) Ed. Biddle ; Coues. \'ol. 

 II. ]>[>. U)V4.\ Bnccphala albcola. P.aird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, 

 p. 798. C&S. L'. Rh. D'. Kk. J. P.. E. 



Specimens. — iV. of W. ) I". Prov. P.. EX. 



CONSISTENCY is a jewel which no sportsman jjossesses. We go forth 

 to slay, but murder is not in our hearts. We kill to eat, but we are not hungry ; 

 nor should we ever be in these days of plenty if our guns were wholly turned 

 to rust. No; shooting" is only our crude wa}- of tr_\-ing to get acquainted with 

 the children of Nature ; and we shall outgrow it some day just as our ancestors 

 outgrew the custom of shooting members of another clan at sight. And we 

 shall outgrow it for preciselv the same reason. We shall learn that the other 

 fellow is more interesting to us alive than dead — so much more interesting that 

 it is realh' worth otir while to make overtures of friendship. 



If any sight in nature duild disarm the i>( iwder-lust. it wiuild be that of a 

 half dozen Buffleheads dancing upon the sun-kissed waters of Puget Sound. 

 Dapper, jauntv. bright-eved. elegant, and altogether charming", are these dainty 

 duck children. Their white breasts gleam ii"i the sun and the_\' ride so high in 

 the water, that they seem n"iore like fltiffs of fl(")ating cotton than creatures of 

 avoirdupois. If that captivating" drake now would only let us handle him, we 

 sh.ould be perfectly satisfied. We wotild cuddle him in r)ur arms, and stroke 

 his puffy cheeks of rainbow hue, or give a playful tweak to his saucy little nose. 

 But he does not fullv appreciate our benevolent attitude; he does not immedi- 

 ateh" reciprocate our desire to fondle hin"i — therefore, we will give him tlie left 

 barrel. 



Buffleheads are among our most abundant ducks in fall and winter thruout 

 the State. They are found alike in swift rivers and on placifl niill-ponds. 



