78 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Genus AYTHYA Boie. 

 AYTHYA AMERICANA (Eyt.). 



46. Redhead, (l-id) 



Bill, (lull Ijlue with a black belt at end, l>roa(l and depressed, shorter than 

 head (two or less), the nostrils within its basal half; color of head, rich, piire 

 chestnut, with bronzy or I'ed I'eflections ; in the female, plain brown ; body 

 anteriorly, rump and tail coverts, black ; in the female, dark brown ; back, 

 scapulars and sides, plumbeous-white, finely waved with unbi-oken black 

 lines, less distinct in the female; speculum, bluish-ash. Length, al)out 20; 

 wing, 9-10; tarsiis, If-lf. 



Hab. — North America, breeding from California and Maine northward. 



Nest, like that of a coot, composed of l)roken bits of rushes on a clump of 

 bog, often afloat. 



Eggs, seven or eight, dull buff or creamy white. 



The Redhead is one of the most abundant species which visits 

 Lake Ontario, and, judging by the numbers which are sent down 

 fi'om the shooting stations farther west, it seems to be equally so at 

 other points. They are strong, hardy birds, and a heavy charge, 

 skilfully aimed, is necessary to stop them when on the wing. During 

 the past two seasons a flock of 100 to 150 remained in Lake Ontario 

 all winter, about half a mile from the shore, opposite the village of 

 Burlington. The birds spent most of their time at one particular 

 place, sometimes diving, sometimes sitting at rest on the w^ater, and 

 always close together, as if for greater warmth. When the weather 

 moderated in March they shifted about for a few days, and then 

 went off to the north-west, the direction taken by most water-fowl 

 when leaving this part of Ontario in spring. 



These large flocks of Redheads are somewhat capricious in their 

 movements. They are seldom found more than one or two seasons 

 at one place, having perhaps to "shift the pasture." They are 

 among the most abundant species at all the shooting stations in 

 Southern Ontario in the fall, and are said to breed abundantly all 

 through the North-West, but are not named as being found at Alaska 

 nor at Hudson's Bay. 



They are greatly prized for the table, and are often sold for 

 Canvas-backs, which thev resemble in taste and color. 



