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color ; scapulars and lesser coverts greenish- black ; outer seconda- 

 ries, outer webs, light slate color, tipped with white ; inner webs 

 brown, inner secondaries dark green ; secondary coverts brown. 

 Length eighteen inches, wing seven and three quarters. 



Female with a band of white on the forehead, head and neck 

 brown, larger portion of the breast and abdomen white ; the sides 

 of the body brown. About two inches shorter than the male. 



This bird in general markings is not unlike the Scaup Duck, 

 but it can at- all times be readily distinguished by the slate colored 

 markings on the wings. By our gunners generally, it is consider- 

 ed a hybrid, and familiar to them by the name of " Bastard Broad- 

 bill." Along the sea-coast it is not very abundant ; still a few are 

 observed almost every Spring and Autumn along the south shore 

 of Long Island, and at Egg Harbor. On the streams of the interi- 

 or it is quite common during winter. I have met with it on various 

 parts of the Onio, and on the Mississippi as far as New Orleans. — 

 It associates in small parties, and is usually observed flying but a 

 short distance above the water. 



The largest flock I ever met with, was from nine to twelve — 

 those I saw at the mouth of the river Licking ; but from my ob- 

 servations, they are not so plentiful in the vicinity of Cincinnati, as 

 farther down the Ohio River. 



