NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 77 



they were formed of twigs, mosses and various plants matted together. 

 The nests were large and almost flat, several inches thick, lined with 

 some feathers of the female, but without down. 



The eggs are usually six in number, measuring 2.68 x 1.83. They 

 are of a pale buff, varying to green. 



166. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.) [633.] 



Surf Scoter. 



Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of Northern North America; south to the Carolinas, the Ohio 

 river and Lower California. 



The Surf Duck and the three preceding species are called Coots by 

 the gunners ; their habits, appearance and general characteristics being 

 similar. It is peculiarly an American species, and is only an occasion- 

 al or accidental visitor in Europe. The plumage of the male of this 

 species is glossy black, no white on the wings, but a triangular white 

 patch on the forehead pointing forward. The female is a sooty-brown, 

 below silvery -gray ; side of the head much whitish. It breeds in the 

 far north along the coast and in the interior of the fur countries. 

 Audubon found this species to be the least numerous of the ducks in- 

 habiting Labrador. He discovered a nest in a fresh-water marsh 

 placed among the tall grass and weeds. It was entirely made of 

 withered, rotten weeds, lined with the down of the bird. The nest 

 contained five eggs; they were pale yellowish or cream color, and 

 measured 2.31 by 1.63. The general average is 2.47 x 1.70; pale buff 

 to creamy-buff. 



167. Erismatura rubida (Wils.) [634.] 



Ruddy Duck. 



Hab. North America in general, south to Cuba, Guatemala, and Northern South America. 



The Ruddy Duck is an American species, and is found breeding 

 throughout most of its range, but more especially from the northern 

 borders of the United States northward. In spring and fall it is an 

 abundant duck on the large bodies of water, as well as rivers, small 

 streams, and ponds. It is exceedingly difficult to kill, being very 

 tenacious of life, and, when wounded, dives with the greatest of ease, 

 remaining under the water for a long time — in fact, no duck excels 

 this one in diving. Mr. Shields writes that the Ruddy Duck breeds 

 quite commonly in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., depositing from 

 five to eleven eggs about the last of May, and fresh eggs may be taken 

 as late as June 25. He says there is positive proof that this duck 

 prefers the abandoned nests of Coots for nesting purposes to those 

 constructed by itself, and cites several instances in which he took 

 eggs of this species from what appeared to be Coots' nests recon- 



