69 
Distribution. Although some representatives of this subfamily are found commonly 
on every water-way in Canada both species and individuals are more numerous on the 
coast than in the interior. 
The Bay and Sea Ducks, though more at home in large open waters, 
often frequent the marshes and shallower waters for feeding. They are 
good divers, sometimes descending to astonishing depths for shell-fish 
or vegetable matter. They include some of the finest table species. 
Economic Status. The direct economic importance of their food 
habits is even less than that of the other Ducks. 
146. Redhead. FrR.—LE MILOUIN A ThTE ROUSSE. Marila Americana. L,19. A 
rather large Duck with an even coloured, brick-red head and upperneck; black breast; 
grey back finely vermiculated with black; white below. Head of female duller in colour, 
even to dull grey-brown, and canvas-coloured back replaced by an even wash of brown 
sometimes without hint of fine vermiculation. 
Distinctions. Male resembles the Canvas-back but back considerably darker and 
red of head does not come to shoulders as in that species. Females of these two species are 
even more alike, but shape of the bill is always diagnostic (See Canvas-back). Female 
also somewhat like those of Scaup and Golden-eye but distinguished by grey instead of white 
speculum or wing patch and absence of any white face mark. Ring-necked Duck has a 
similar speculum but is a much smaller bird and has the white face mark. 
Field Marks. Colour of head and outline of head and bill. 
: Nesting. Usually on land or elevated over water, nest of reeds with more or less 
own. 
Distribution. Usually only a migrant east of the prairie provinces, though at one time 
a few bred locally in Great Lakes region; rare on east coast. 
One of our finest Ducks and when fed on wild celery its flesh has as 
fine a flavour as that of the Canvas-back. It is rather less of an open 
water bird than many of the Sea Ducks and is often found on marshes 
and ponds. 
147. Canvas-back. FR.—MILOUIN AUX YEUX ROUGES. Marila valisineria. L. 21 
A large Duck; male with dull brick-red head and neck; black breast; white below; back 
white with very fine dark vermiculations bearing a close resemblance to canvas and to 
which the species owes its name. In female the redness of head and neck is reduced to 
brownish-grey and the back is brownish. 
Distinctions. Colours very close to those of comparable Redhead plumages; dis- 
tinguished from Redhead by shape of bill which in Canvas-back is longer and heavier, 
springing from well up on forehead and giving an almost straight culmen line rather than a 
concave one as in Redhead. Male much whiter on back and the red comes down to the 
shoulders instead of stopping halfway down the neck. Young and females may possibly 
be confused with the Scaups, Ring-bill, or Golden-eye, but may be separated by superior 
size or the lack of white or grey on the wing or of white on the face. 
Field Marks. Red or reddish, or reddish-grey head, lack of white on face or wing, 
and shape and outline of head and bill. 
Nesting. Built over water, in nest of reeds lined with down. 
Distribution. Of regular though not very common occurrence on lower Great Lakes 
wh fo lake Erie; rare on Atlantic coast but more common in western Canada where it 
reeds. 
One of the best known and most highly esteemed of the Ducks. The 
Canvas-back is associated in the popular mind with terrapin and _ high- 
living. This gastronomic fame is largely due to the wild celery, Vallisneria 
spiralis, upon which it frequently feeds and from which its specific name 
is derived. However, many other Ducks feeding upon the same plant 
become equally palatable. On the Great Lakes the introduction of the 
German Carp has proved very destructive to the once extensive beds of 
wild celery and wild rice both of which plants are extremely attractive to 
