THE BUFFLEHEAD. 803 
. 
white; reminiscences of white coverts of male in shape of two or three central 
spots on greater coverts; remaining plumage above, grayish dusky, below silky 
white, shading on sides and hind-neck. Length 14.00-15.25 (355.6-387.4) ; av. 
of six males: wing 6.67 (169.4); tail 2.93 (74.4); bill 1.10 (27.9); tarsus 1.31 
(33.3). Female smaller. 
Recognition Marks.—Teal size; plumage extensively white; head black, 
with large sharply defined patch of white from eye to eye behind. Similar spot 
much reduced, distinctive for female. Expert diver. 
Nesting.—WNest: in hollow of tree or stump or in crevice of cliff, lined with 
grasses, feathers, etc. Eggs: 6-14, pale olive gray, creamy, or buffy white. Ay. 
size, 1.98 x 1.46 (50.3 x 37.1). Season: c. May 20; one brood. 
General Range.—North America; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 
Breeds from the northern border States northward, thru the Fur Countries and 
Alaska. 
Range in Washington.—Abundant migrant and resident in winter, dis- 
tributed thruout the State but especially common coastwise ; sparingly resident in 
summer, chiefly in northern portion of East-side. 
Authorities.—|[ lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814) Ed. Biddle: Coues. Vol. 
II. pp. 193-4.] Bucephala albeola, Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, 
Pee Osw C&S. Rh DS Kika Beak 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) P'. Prov. B. BN. 
CONSISTENCY is a jewel which no sportsman possesses. We go forth 
to slay, but murder is not in our hearts. We kill to eat, but we are not hungry; 
nor should we ever be in these days of plenty if our guns were wholly turned 
to rust. No; shooting is only our crude way of trying to get acquainted with 
the children of Nature; and we shall outgrow it some day just as our ancestors 
outgrew the custom of shooting members of another clan at sight. And we 
shall outgrow it for precisely the same reason. We shall learn that the other 
fellow is more interesting to us alive than dead—so much more interesting that 
it is really worth our while to make overtures of friendship. 
If any sight in nature could disarm the powder-lust, it would be that of a 
half dozen Buffleheads dancing upon the sun-kissed waters of Puget Sound. 
Dapper, jaunty, bright-eyed, elegant, and altogether charming, are these dainty 
duck children. Their white breasts gleam in the sun and they ride so high in 
the water, that they seem more like fluffs of floating cotton than creatures of 
avoirdupois. If that captivating drake now would only let us handle him, we 
should be perfectly satished. We would cuddle him in our arms, and stroke 
his puffy cheeks of rainbow hue, or give a playful tweak to his saucy little nose. 
But he does not fully appreciate our benevolent attitude; he does not immedi- 
ately reciprocate our desire to fondle him—therefore, we will give him the left 
barrel. 
Buffleheads are among our most abundant ducks in fall and winter thruout 
the State. They are found alike in swift rivers and on placid mill-ponds. 
