NESTb AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 159 



much smaller than the male. The nest is placed on the ground near 

 water, composed of sticks, weeds, etc., with a warm lining of down and 

 feathers. 



Hab. Coasts and larger lakes of Northern North America; breeds in Labrador and the northern in- 

 tenor ; south in winter to New Jersey, the Great Lakes and California. 



632. American Velvet Scoter — melanetta velvetina. Dirty-cream 

 color; oval in shape; six to ten in number, and measure from 2.60 to 

 2.65 long by 1.80 to 1.85 broad. The White-winged Scoter inhabits 

 Northern North America. Breeds in Labrador and the Fur Countries. 

 In winter it is found in the Middle States as far south as Southern Illinois 

 and Southern California on large waters. The general color of the adult 

 male is black, paler below, with a small white spot under the eye. The 

 speculum is white and is formed by most of the secondaries and tips of 

 the greater coverts. Iris yellow. Feet orange or carmine-red, with black 

 webs. The female is sooty-brown, pale gray below, but retaining the 

 white speculum. It is also called Sea Coot and Surf Duck. The nest is 

 made on the ground near water, composed of grass, sticks and weeds, 

 with a soft lining of feathers. 



633. Surf Duck — pelionetta perspicillata. Greenish-buff; six to 

 twelve in number; size from 2.25 to 2.30 long by 1.60 to 1.65 broad. 

 This Surf Duck and the two preceding species are called Coots by the 

 gunners, their habits, appearance and general characteristics being similar. 

 The plumage of the male of this species is glossy black, no white on the 

 wings, but a triangular white patch on the forehead pointing forward. 

 The female is sooty-brown, below silvery-gray; side of the head much 

 whitish. Breeds in the far north, nesting on the ground in the usual 

 manner. 



Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of Northern North America; in winter south to the Carolina?, the 

 Ohio River and Lower California. 



634. Ruddy Duck — erismatura rubida. The Ruddy Duck inhabits 

 North America at large and breeds throughout most of its range, more 

 especially from the northern borders of the United States northward. In 

 spring and fall it is an abundant duck on the large bodies of water, as well 

 as rivers, small streams and ponds. It is exceedingly difficult to kill, 

 being very tenacious of life, and when wounded dives with the greatest of 

 ease, remaining under the water for a long time — in fact, no duck excels 

 this one in diving, and I have heard many a sportsman utter words that 

 he should have repeated to himself as his gun "went off" and the poor 

 wounded fowl disappeared beneath the surface of the water. I have had 

 several males in perfect plumage ; they are handsome birds. The 



