THE BIRD BOOK 



Buffle-head 



Old-squaw 



153. Buffle-head. Charitonetta albeola. 



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 

 but has a large white patch on the back of the 



nun 



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 

 are like the preceding. Eggs eight to fourteen. 

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

 1899. Seven eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump, 

 lined with down. Collector, Dr. George. 



154. Old-squaw. Harelda hyemalis. 

 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 

 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 Bay 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 number 

 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. 



100 



