ANATIN.E — THE DTJCKS — CLANGHILA. 49 



There is very little variation among the males of this spirits. The females vary in the mark- 

 ings of the wing, some having the greater coverts white, tipped with dusky ; while in others only 

 the inner secondaries are white. 



This species, peculiar to this continent, but of accidental or occasional occurrence 

 in Europe, has an extended distribution throughout North America, being found in 

 winter in the more southern States, in the West India Islands, and on both coasts of 

 Mexico. It goes as far north as Greenland on the northeast, and Alaska on the 

 northwest, coast. 



An adult female specimen was obtained ai Godthaab, in Greenland, by the elder 

 Bernhardt. Mr. Bernard Boss met with it throughout the whole valley of the Mac- 



r ■ 



kenzie, to the very mouth of that river. It was taken on the Saskatchewan by 

 Captain Blakiston, who also received it from Hudson's Bay. 



This species is said by Dr. Richardson to frequenl the rivers and fresh-water lakes 



throughout the Fur Countries in great numbers. It is very far from being .shy, will 

 allow the sportsman to approach quite near, and then dives so dexterously a1 the 

 flash of the gun, and is so very difficult to kill, that the natives believe it to possess 

 supernatural powers, and call it the '• Spirit Duck."' 



Mr. Dall mentions it as not uncommon on the Yukon, where it breeds. It is 

 abundant at the mouth of the Yukon River, where there are no trees except, scrubby 

 willows and alders, and it probably breeds there. Specimens were obtained by Mr. 

 Bischoff at Sitka. It was found on Vancouver Island by Mr. R. Browne. 



Dr. Cooper writes that he has found this little Duck very abundant throughout 

 California, and that he has traced it as far north as latitude 49° during the colder 

 months. It arrives in California about October, and remains as far south as San 

 Diego as late as April 20. It is known to frequent both fresh and salt water ; and 

 seems to obtain an abundance of food everywhere, becoming so very fat as to acquire 

 the general appellation of "Butter-ball." Its expertness in diving enables it to 

 obtain food in deep water more readily than most other Ducks. 



Dr. Gundlach mentions this species as a visitant to Cuba ; and Major Wedderburn 



VOL. II. — 7 



