SEA DUCKS. Ill 



head and rufous-brown in the Canvasback; (2) by the generally blackish 

 chin and crown of the Canvasback, these parts in the Kedhead being colored 

 like the rest of the head; (3) by the difference in the markings of the back, 

 wing-coverts, and sides ; and (4) by the ditterence in the size and shape of the 

 bill, as shown by the accompanying measurements. The females of the two 

 species may be at once distinguished by the color of the back, which in the 

 Canvasback is finely barred with wavy white lines, markings which do not 

 appear on the back of the female Eedhead. 



Range. — North America ; breeds only in the interior, from Minnesota to 

 the Arctic Circle ; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Delaware ; winters from 

 *the Chesapeake Bay to the Greater Antilles. 



Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, rare T. V. Sing Sing, rare T. V., 

 Oct. 



Nest., on the ground, in grassy sloughs or marshy lake sides. £ggs,) six to 

 ten, buffy white with a bluish tinge, 2-40 x 1-70. 



There's much in a name. The reputation of the Canvasback, among 

 gourmands, is too firmly established to be questioned ; but, given the 

 same chef, and half a dozen of our Ducks can be made to do duty for 

 this favorite of epicures. In some parts of the west, where folks have 

 a way of thinking for themselves, the Canvasback is frankly placed 

 second to his cousin the Redhead. 



The Canvasback is at its best when the bird has been for some time 

 feeding on wild celery — a diet which equally improves the flesh of 

 other species. 



148. Aythya marila nearctica; Stejn. Am. Scaup Duck: Greateb 

 Scaup Duck ; Broadbill ; Bluebill ; Blackhead. Ad. $ . — Head, neck, 

 breast, and upper back black, the top and sides of the head with generally 

 greenish reflections; back and scapulars with wavy black and white bars; 

 speculum white; upper and under tail-coverts black; belly white; lower 

 belly strongly and sides faintly marked with wavy black bars. Ad. ? . — 

 Eegion around the base of the bill wJdte ; head, neck, breast, and upper back 

 umber, margined with ochraceous on the breast; back and scapulars fuscous- 

 brown ; sides dark grayish brown, both generally marked with fine, wavy 

 bars of white ; speculum and belly white. $ L., 18'50 ; W., 8*75 ; Tar., 1*40 ; 

 B., 1-65; greatest width of B., 1-00. 9 L., 17-50; W., 8-25; Tar., 1-36; B., 

 1-05; greatest width of B., 1-00. 



Range. — North America; breeds in the interior rarely from Minnesota 

 and regularly from Manitoba northward to Alaska; reported on the Atlan- 

 tic from as far north as Greenland, but not known to breed and not common 

 north of Massachusetts ; winters from Long Island to northern South America. 



Washington, rather common W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Sept. 

 25 to May 1, some winter. Sing Sing, common T. V., Mch. 22 to Apl. 13 ; 

 Oct. 4 to Dec. 3.* 



* The presence or absence of Ducks in the winter depends upon whether the 

 river is frozen or open. 



