70 U. S. p. R. I{. KXP. AND SURVEYS — ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



FULIGULA MARILA, Linn .—Scaup Duck. 



Fulifftda mania, Aud. B, of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 316, pi. 397.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p 437. 



Ams Tnarila, Gmel. Syet. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 519.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. Vllf, p. 81, pi. G9, fig. 3 



Abundant on the salt bays, and occasionally penetrates the interior of the country. 

 NYROCA VALLISNERIA, Wils .—Canvas-back Duck. 



Anas vallisneria, Wii.s. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p. 103, pi. 20, fig. 5. 



I'ldif/ula vallisneria, AuD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 299, pi. 395.— Nnrr. Orn. vol. II, p. 430. 



Aythya vaUisneria, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 794. 



Not abundant, though occasionally exposed in the market for sale. In 1849 I saw twelve 

 dollars paid for a single bird of this kind for the table. 



NYROCA ERYTHROCEPHALA, B o n a p .—Red-headed Duck, 



Fuliffidaferina, Aid. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 3U, pi. 397. 

 Anasferina, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p. 110, pi. 70, fig. 6. 

 Ayihya aniericana, Baird, Gen. Rep. 793. 



Not abundant, but occasionally breeds in the country. I saw, on the swamps of Sacramento 

 valley, several pair in June, and inspection of the female showed the breast to be denuded of 

 feathers, as is the case with most of the birds of this family during the period of incubation. 



CLANGULA ALBEOLA, Linn .— Buffel-headed Duck. 



Clanguh. albeola, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 458. 



Fuliffula albeola, AuD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 309, pi. 408.— Nurr. Orn. vol. II, p. 415. 



Anas albeola, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 517. 



Bucephala albeola, Baikd, Gen. Rep. IX, 797. 



This beautiful little species is abundant, both inland and on the salt bays of the coast. I 

 observed it as far south as the Gila river. 



OIDEMIA PERSPICILLATA, L i n n .—Surf Duck. 



Oidemia perspidllata. Rich. & Sw. F. Bur. Am. vol. II, p. 449. 

 Fuligula perspicillcUa, Auu. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 337, pi. 402. 



Abundant. Found on the whole seaboard of California, in San Francisco bay, and about 

 Benicia. The vast shallow flats bordering Suisun and San Pablo bays are among its favorite 

 feeding grounds. Living almost exclusively on shell fish, its flesh acquires so rank a flavor 

 that gunners seldom waste their shot upon it. I have known it, in consequence, to become so 

 fearless as to pass under and about the wharves of San Diego while persons were walking 

 overhead. 



ERISMATURA RUBIDA, Wils .—Ruddy Duck. 



Fuligula ruUda, AuD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 324, pi. 309.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 426. 

 Anas rubidus, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p. 128, pi. 71, figs. 5 and 6. 



Observed both in fresh water and on the large salt bays and lesser indentations occurring on 

 the California coast. 



