268 GAME DEEP-WATER FOWL. 



middle white, middle of breast grayish-white, hind 

 part of abdomen light brownish-gray. 



Length to end of tail, 21 inches ; extent of wings, 

 32J; weight, 2 pounds 7 ounces. 



Like those of the canvas-back, the habits of the 

 red-head during the breeding-season are very 

 poorly understood ; in fact, the same may be said 

 of all the deep-water ducks herein described, from 

 the flict that none of them ever remain to breed 

 in their winter quarters, but all take their de- 

 parture in the spring to some secluded regions 

 of the north, and in the fall return with their 

 numerous progeny fully grown and well able to 

 take care of themselves. Like the canvas-back, 

 too, they are not very plenty in the West dur- 

 ing the fall, unless the water is unusually high, 

 but make their appearance in large numbers shortly 

 after the opening of the rivers and lakes in spring. 



Their food consists chiefly of the grass roots so 

 much sought for by the canvas-backs, and also of 

 corn, wild oats, and the seeds and blades of vari- 

 ous water-grasses which grow along the shore in 

 the fall, and which in spring are inundated. The 

 botanical name of this grass, whose roots form its 

 favorite food, I am unacquainted with. In shape 

 the i^lant resembles the witch-grass, so common 



