482 



ZOOLOGY— BIRDS. 



BUCEPUALA ALBKOLA (Linn.). 



Butterball. 



AnuH alhmla, LiNN., S.yst. Nat., i, ITOO, 199. 



Clangula albcola, Bd., Staus. Hep. Exp. Great Salt Lake, 1852, 324. — Nevtb., P. R. R. 

 Rep., vi, 18.57, 104.— IIeerji., P. R. R. Rep., x, 1859, pt. iv, 70. 



Bucephala albeohi, Bu., Binl.s N. A., 1858, 797. — Id, U. S. & Mex. Bound. Surv., ii, pt. ii, 

 1859, Bird,s, 27.— Kknneuly, P. R. R. Roj)., Whipple'.s Route, x, 1859, 35. — 

 Xantus, Proc. Aciul. Nat. Sci. Pliila., 1859, 193 (FoitTejou, Cal.). — IIenky, 

 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila., 1859, 109 (New Mexico.).— Coop. & SxiCKL., P. 

 R. R. Hep., xii, pt. ii, 18G0, 259.— Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Plida., 18CG, 

 99.— Stev., U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., 1870,400 (VVyoniing).— Aiken, Proc. 

 Best. Soc. Nat. Hist., xv, 1872, 210 (Colorado).- CoUES, Key N. A. Birds, 

 1872, 290.— Snow, lairds Kan., 1873, 11.— Yarrow & Henshaw, Rep. Orn. 

 Specs., 1872, Wheeler'.s Exped., 1874, 32.— CouES, Birds Northwest, 1874, 



The Butterball occurs, as the above quotations show, in nearly every 

 part of the West. By our parties it has been seen and obtained in various 

 parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, sind Arizona. It is usually found not 

 in large flocks, but in small companies, often mingling with other species, 

 and usually feeds among the marsh grasses and sedge along the margins of 

 the lakes and pools. Although in the fall it becomes very plumj) and fat, 

 as its name implies, it is at all times of rather inferior quality for the table, 

 although in the markets it is usually passed off for, and commands the price 

 of, the more delicate teal. Its flesh is apt to have a very strong fishy flavor. 



