BlICEPHALA CLANGULA. 



90 



mainder of neck, bmlv anterior to shoulders, lower back and tail coverts, Idack. Under parts and back white, finely spot- 

 ted on former and side^ with black, biitthewliite predominates. Winssan.lta.il, brown. Speculum, bluish-ash, tip- 

 ped with white, and edged above with black. Iris, red, bill black, and feet, blue. 



Adult female. Brown throughout, becoming lighter below, with the featliers edged with yellowish. The white mark- 

 ings above are only faintly indicated. Otherwise as in the male. 



OBSERVATIONS. 

 Known in all stages by the long bill which is high at base, and predominating white above which is the reverse in the 

 pvecedin.'; which see for further comparison. Distributed, in summer, throughout the North-west and North ; wintering 

 from New Jersey to Middle Florida. 



DIMENSIONS. 

 Average measurements of .specimens from Eastern North America. Length, 21-50; stretcli, 3'2-00; wing, f)-76, tail 

 2-62; bill, 2-75; tarsus, 1-62. Longest specimen, 23-25; greatest extent of wing, 33-00; longest win^s 10-00; tail, 2 75: bill, 

 3-00: tarsus, 1-75. Shortest specimen, 20-35 ; smallest extent of wing, 31-00; shortest wing, 9-50; tail, 2-50 ; bill, 2-50 ; tar- 

 sus, 1-50. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 

 A^es/s, placed on the gi-ound in marshy places, composed of sticks, weeds, etc. E</ijs, six to ten innum^ier, elliptica 

 in form, and ashy-green in color. Dimensions from 1-70x2-50 to 1-75x2-55. 



HABITS. 



The Canvas-backed Ducks, so well known to sportsmen and epicures, are found in 

 our section most abundantly in the waters of the bays and sounds of the middle districts, 

 and although like the preceding species, a few reach Florida, neither are ever found in the 

 southern portion of the peninsula. The fine flavor which the flesh of these Ducks is said 

 to possess, is probably due partly to the imagination of those who p;iy high prices for the 

 privilege of eating it, but I must confess, however, that I never could see any difference 

 between these birds, even when taken in the Chesapeake, and other Ducks; while those 

 which I have obtained in Florida, have always been so dry and fishy, thiit tht^y wore utter- 

 ly worthless. The Canvas-backs, in common with many others of the Bay Ducks, dive 

 well, remaining under water for a long time. This species and the preceding are intimate- 

 ly associated throughout their entire distribution. 



GENUS XI. BUCEPHALA. THE TREE DUCKS. 



Gen. Cn. Bill, shorter than head, veryhifjhal base, narrowing yradualty toward lip and not flattened. Neck, short. 

 Marginal indentations, closed. 



The trachea is variable but the larynx of the male is expanded and provided with a bony frame-^vork. The stomacb 

 is very muscular. Sexes, not similar. There are three species Within our limits. 



BUCEPHALA CLANGULA. 



Golden-eyed Duck. 



Bvcephala clancjula Coues, Key; 1872, 290. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sr. Cn. Form, robust. Size, large. Trachea, widely dilated in the center, where it is capable of expansion and con- 

 traction. Bill, long. Color. Adult male. Head, upper neck all around, and upper parts, black, glos.sed with green and 

 violet. Round .spot at base of bill, line through wing, and remainder of neck and under parts, white. Scajmlaries, lance- 

 shaped, streaked and edged with white. Tibia, under wing coverts, and axillaries, brown. Iris, orange. Bill, black. 

 Feet, yellow. Adult female. Similar, but the black is replaced by ashj'-brown which becomes grayisli-whitc on neck be- 

 low, and all the feathers are edged with whitish. Young. Resemble the adult female, but in males the round spot at the 

 base of bill is sometimes faintly indicated. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the white circular spot at ba.se of bill, lance-shaped scapularies, and greenish glos-; on head. Distributed, 

 in summer, from Northern New England, northw-ard; wintering from Massacliusetts, soutliward. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 20'00; stretch, 30-50; wing, 8-50; tail, 3-75; bill, 

 1-60; tarsus, 1-40. Longest specimen, 23-00; greatest extent of wing, 32-00; longest wing, 9-00: tail. 4-00; bill, 1-80; tai-sus, 

 V50. Shortest specimen, lS-75; smallest f-stent of wing, 29-00; shortest wing, H'OO; tail, 3-.50; bill, 1-40; tarsus, 1-25. 



