196 DUCK SHOOTINC. 



the belly and fading on the sides and breast to buff. 

 The dusky of the belly darkens toward the tail, until it 

 becomes dull black. There is a spot of blue-black on 

 the sides below the bend of the wing. The bill and feet 

 are grayish-blue. 



The adult female is generally reddish-brown, 

 speckled with dusky or black. There are two narrow 

 bars across the wing, formed by the tips of the greater 

 coverts and of the secondaries. The speculum is 

 brownish ; under parts light brown, spotted with brown- 

 ish-black ; the back sooty-brown. 



This very handsome duck is found in America only 

 on the coasts of Alaska. It frequents the coast of 

 Asia, however, and has been taken in Russia, Sweden, 

 Denmark and Britain. It appears, however, to be only 

 a straggler in Western Europe. It is distinctly an Arc- 

 tic bird and more numerous in Alaska than in any other 

 region. The nest is built on the ground, among the 

 grass, and is well concealed. It is said to breed on St. 

 Lawrence Island. 



The species is one that can interest only Alaskan 

 sportsmen, but it is an exceedingly beautiful bird. 



