156 The Birds of Albany County 



Lesser Scaup Duck; Little Blackhead; Little 

 Bluebill. — Aylhya affinis. 16.50 



Very rare straggler in Fall. 



Redhead. — Aythya americana. 19.00 



Rare Migrant 



Field marks. — Head and neck bright reddish-brown ; speculum 

 gray; breast and upper parts black to gray; plumage 

 considerably barred; belly white. 



Subfamily Anatinae 



Wood Duck. — Aix sponsa. 18.50 



Uncommon Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Long occipital crest of purple and white 

 feathers; speculum steel-blue; upper parts iridescent; 

 long fan-shaped tail. 



This has long been regarded as the most beautiful Duck 

 in America. In earlier days it probably bred freely in this 

 vicinity, but has now nearly disappeared. However, there are 

 records of its having bred along the Normanskill within the 

 past six years. Every Fall the expert gunner takes two or 

 three. 



The eggs, from four to sixteen, yellowish-white, are laid 

 in the hollow of a tree. 



