LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 345 



LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 



little blackhead. little bluebill. 



Aythva affinis. 



Char. Similar in coloration to viarila nearctica, but in the present 

 species the gloss of the head is purple instead of green, and the flanks 

 are pencilled with dusky instead of being unmarked. Size smaller, length 

 about 16 inches. 



Nest. Sometimes on an island, but usually in the marshy margin of a 

 stream or pond, hid amid the ranker herbage close to the water ; made 

 of grass and weed-stems and lined with down. 



^SS^- 6-9; pale dull buff tinged with olive ; 2.25 X i-6o. 



The slight difference between this bird and its larger ally has 

 caused such confusion of the two that the distinctive distribution 

 and habits of the present species has not been determined. Both 

 are classed with the Sea Ducks, yet both build their nests by in- 

 land waters usually, and not on the sea-coast. The nests are gen- 

 erally by an inland stream, but Dr. Bell reports finding several on 

 Nottingham Island, in Hudson Bay. 



Of the two birds the present is less frequently found on salt 

 water even in winter. During the migrations it is uncommon along 

 the shores of New England and the Provinces, but it winters 

 farther south than does the larger bird, and is more plentiful on 

 the streams and creeks running into Chesapeake Bay than at any 

 locality to the northward. It is very abundant along the lower 

 valley of the Mississippi, and Dr. Coues reported finding it abundant 

 on the upper Missouri. 



Audubon considered this species could be approached easily, 

 while feeding; but the examples I have met with have been rather 

 wary, and though they rose from the vi^ater with difficult}^, and 

 therefore rarely took wing, they generally managed to swim out 

 of the range of my gun. 



Authors differ as to the origin of the name given to these birds, 

 some referring it to their fondness for moUusks, while others think 

 the cry is responsible for the name, which sounds like the word 

 scaup, delivered bv a har.sh voice in a screaming tone. The cry is 

 exceedingly discordant. 



