180 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFORNIA 



from two to nine, eight l)oiiig tlie average; in color they resemble ohl ivory, 

 without any tinge of green. 1 liave several times seen the eggs of this iluck 

 described as "dusky green," but these have evidently been the eggs of some 

 species of teal. The female Buffle-head is a very close sitter, never leaving 

 the nest until the hole was sawed out, and in most cases 1 had to lift the bird 

 and throw her uj) in the air, when she would make a bee-line for the nearest 

 lake, where her mate would be slowly swimming up and down unconscious of 

 the violation of his home. In many cases the eggs had fine cracks, evidently 

 made by the compression of the bird's body when entering the small aperture. 



It is said that some nests liave no otlier lining than down feathers 

 from the female parent. 



The Buffle-head flies with notable speed, vibrating its wings with 

 great rapidity, and usually travels close to the water. When alighting 

 on the water it does so with a big splash, considering the size of the 

 bird, and ploughs through the water for some little distance before 

 its momentum is completely arrested. It associates in pairs or flocks 

 of small size. Flocks do not fly in regular formation as is the habit 

 with some ducks, but the individual members bunch closely together 

 each disregarding the position of its companion. A deep guttural 

 note is sometimes given when on the wing, but more often the birds 

 fly without uttering any sound whatsoever. 



Next to its fatness, whence the name Butterball, the Buffle-head 

 is famed for its expertness in diving. It is said to dive at the flash of 

 the gun and consequently is difficult to hit when resting on the water. 

 Although usually shy and not easily aproached it sometimes depends 

 for its safety entirely upon its agility in diving and will then permit 

 close approach. When wounded or pursued it swims great distances 

 under water and upon rising to the surface will immediately dive 

 again if danger is still near. 



So expert a diver is the Buffle-head that it can catch small fish 

 easily, and this sort of food is said to be taken regularly. Like many 

 other sea ducks, the Buffle-head varies its food with locality. Along 

 the seacoast, it feeds upon small fish, shrimps and other crustaceans, 

 and shellfish ; in fresh M-ater, crawfish, leeches and snails, and grasses 

 and other water plants, are taken (Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884, 

 II, p. 51). 



Despite its fatness the Buffle-head is not considered a very desirable 

 table bird because its flesh is usually ill-flavored. Birds taken in the 

 interior have been reported as palatable, and young birds taken along 

 the coast are relished by people who know how to cook them. But as 

 a general rule Buffle-heads taken along the sea coast have been sub- 

 sisting on a shellfish diet so long that it has made their flesh taste 

 ' ' fishy. ' ' This species is only incidentally sought for by the gunner, its 

 small size, poor flavor, and its usual inaccessibility giving it low rank 



