DIRKCTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 139 



D. STIFF-TAILED DUCKS. Erismaturidae. 



Small ducks rather brightly colored in summer but chang- 

 ing into duller plumage in winter; head, small; neck, large 

 and short; tail feathers, narrowed 

 and stiffened, fig. 166; entire plum- 

 age, closely blended. 



a. Rudder Ducks. 

 Erisinatura. 



Bill, slightly bent upward at 

 tip and its nail is small and bent 

 under; its edge is harder and tinely 

 serrated and the lower mandible is 

 also provided with a similar edging 

 at its tip, fig. 166, showing under 

 side. 



1. RUDDY DUCK, E. rubida. 15.00; bill, 1.40; neck 

 and upper parts, chestnut; top of head, black, sides, white; 

 beneath, whitish transversely banded with dusky ; bill and 

 feet, ashy-blue, fig. 167. Female and winter male ; chestnut 

 replaced by reddish-brown marked with spots and wavy lines 

 of dusky; throat and line at base of bill, whitish. Breeds 

 locally throughout N. A. south to Guatemala ; migrates south 

 Fig. 167. Fiof. 168. 



N", D, a, 1. 1-2. N, D, b, 1. 1-2. 



in Oct. to winter from the Carolinas to the Bahamas and West 

 Indies; comes north in April. Common. Occurs singly or 

 in small flocks on both salt and fresh waters but seldom on 



