134 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



in considerable numbers, collecting at favored feeding places in the fresh 

 marshes. They drop into the pools in twos and threes from just after sunset 

 till dark. Dr. Phillips reports that none were shot from his stand at Wenham 

 Lake until 1903, when eight were obtained. In 1904, four were shot. At 

 Chebacco Lake, a shallower body of water, Wood Ducks are frequently shot. 



In swimming they have a habit of nodding the head. They often pick up 

 acorns in the fresh marshes on the edge of the woods, and their crops are some- 

 times so stuffed with them, that the dead birds rattle when handled. 



As the birds start up and fly off in the fresh marshes during the summer, 

 they can be distinguished from Black Ducks by their smaller size, and particu- 

 larly by their smaller head and less heavy flight. The Black Duck is the only 

 other Duck found in the fresh marshes of Esse.x County in summer. On the 

 water the beautiful plumage of the adult male is unmistakable. The immature 

 and female may be recognized by the white ring around the eye and the stripe 

 extending back from it, and by the white throat. 



54 [146] Aythya americana (Eyt.). 

 Redhead. 



Rare transient visitor, not uncommon at times in autumn ; March 6 to 

 April 3 ; October 4 to December 9. 



My records for Essex County are limited chiefly to Wenham Lake and 

 Dr. Phillips' shooting stand. He records none in 1900 ; 29 in 1901 ; i in 

 1902 ; 22 in 1903 ; 4 in 1904. I have heard of only two shot at Eagle Hill, 

 and only one at Chebacco Lake. 



The beautiful rich chestnut brown head of the male Redhead is noticeable 

 in a good light at a considerable distance. The absence of white in the wing as 

 well as the richer chestnut of the head easily distinguish it from the female 

 Whistler. The reddish color of the latter's neck ends abruptly in grayish white, 

 while in the Redhead it merges into black. Seen in profile, the Redhead's bill 

 gives it a saucy look, while the Canvasback has more of a Grecian outline to its 

 forehead and bill. The latter's head is mahogany rather than chestnut in color. 

 From the Greater Scaup the adult male Redhead is easily distinguished even 

 when the light is poor and the heads look black, by the slaty gray back, and 

 absence of white in the wings. I have watched the two species near together 

 in Boston Harbor and noted these points. The young and females are doubt- 

 less often mistaken for Scaups but the Redheads have hardly any white around 

 the base of the bill and lack the white in the wings. 



