SEDHEAD ]47 



;Marks for field identification — Large size, abruptly elevated forehead and, 

 in the male, reddish head. Distinguished from Canvasbaek by high instead of 

 sloping forehead (see figs. 20 and 21), darker coloration, smaller general size, 

 and yellow iris. Female Redhead can be separated from female Canvasbaek 

 by the high forehead, smaller bill (about one-third shorter), and absence of 

 barring on feathers of back; from female Scaup by gray on speculum and 

 smaller amount of white around bill; from female Ring-necked Duck by larger 

 size (wing 8.50 inches, 216 mm., or more in Redhead) ; from female Golden-eye 

 by absence of white patch on wing. 



A^oiCE — Of male: in spring (and rarely in fall) a peculiar quii-quaa. Of 

 female a quack of distinctive tone and quality (Eaton, 1910, p. 203). 



Xest — On ground among thick weeds or grass, or in rushes and over water; 

 constructed of weeds, grasses or rushes. 



Eggs — 10 to 16, oval to elliptical in shape, measuring in inches, 2.30 to 2.58 

 by 1.67 to 1.73 (in millimeters, 58.5 to 65.5 by 42.5 to 44.0), and averaging 2.40 

 by 1.71 (61.0 by 43.5) (twenty-seven eggs in U. S. National Museum); color 

 greenish drab or light buff. 



General distribution — North America. Breeds from southern British 

 Columbia, central Alberta, central Saskatchewan and southwestern Keewatin 

 south to southern California, southern South Dakota and southern Wisconsin; 

 winters from southern British Columbia, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, and Delaware 

 south to central Mexico and Florida (A. O. U. Check-list, 1910, p. 74). 



Distribution in California — Fairly common resident in suitable localities 

 throughout the state; more numerous in winter than in summer and formerly 

 more abundant than at present. Inhabits both salt and fresh water. Breed- 

 ing stations known to the writers are as follows: Lower Klamath and Tule 

 lakes, on Oregon line (H. C. Bryant, 1914e, pp. 229, 231); Sacramento Valley 

 (Heermann, 1859, p. 70); Sacramento (Cooper and Ridgway, 1886, p. 403); 

 Alvarado, Alameda County (H. C. Bryant, MS); Buena Vista Lake, Kern 

 County (Linton, 1908c, p. 197); Ventura County (Evermann, 1886, p. 89); Los 

 Angeles (Davie, 1889, p. 68) ; Nigger Slough, Los Angeles County (Willett, 

 1912a, p. 24); San Jacinto Lake, Riverside County (Willet and Jay, 191 1, p. 

 158; Ingersoll coll.). 



The Redhead, although classed as a typical sea duck, because of 

 the large lobe or flap on the hind toe (the presence of which dis- 

 tinguishes the sea ducks from the fresh water ducks), differs from the 

 others of its relatives in that it is chiefly an inhabitant of fresh water. 

 It is, however, found also in considerable numbers on salt water 

 along the sea coast. In early spring numerous Redheads can be seen 

 mixed in with the great numbers of Canvasbacks which dot the shallow- 

 waters of San Francisco and San Pablo bays. In the interior it 

 prefers the deeper bodies of fresh water. Although most abundant 

 here during the winter months, this is nevertheless a resident species, 

 for a certain proportion remain during the summer and breed in 

 suitable localities throughout the state. 



Like the Cinnamon Teal, the Redhead is essentially southern in its 

 distribution. The only record of its occurrence on the Pacific Coast 

 north of Vancouver Island is of a stray taken in 1896 on Kodiak Island, 



