378 



FULIX AFFINIS (Baird). 

 THE LESSER SCAUP DUCK : LITTLE BLUEBILL. 



Specific Character. — Entirely similar to F. Marilla, but smaller. 



Total length about 16.00 inches, extent, 25.00 ; wing, 7.75 ; culraen, 1.58 ; 

 tarsus, 1.30 ; middle toe, 2.00. 



Beyond the smaller size there is probably no difference which is constant. 

 The h istory of the preceding duck will apply to this one as there seems to have 

 been formerly a good deal of confusion as to its identification as a good variety. 

 It :s barely possible that the observations as to the Scaup duck breeding in 

 southern latitudes may apply to this duck and not to the larger variety. How- 

 ever it is considered by ornithologists as a good variety with habits and distribu- 

 tion much the same as those of the Greater Bluebill. It is sometimes called 

 the Marsh Bluebill on account of its being more frequently found in marshy 

 places while the other prefers deep water. 



