38 WATER FOWL. 



CHEX H ) -PER BO REUS. 



Geographical Distribution. — Western North America from 

 the Valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific coast, and from 

 Alaska to Southern California. Breeds within the Arctic circle. 



Adult. — Primaries, black; their bases and coverts, ashy. En- 

 tire rest of plumage, white. Bill, purplish red; nail, white; 

 space between maxilla and mandible, black. Legs and feet, 

 orange red. Iris, dark brown. Total length, about 25I inches; 

 wing, i5f ; tarsus, 4; culmen, 1^-^. 



Young.--W&a.A, neck, and upper parts, light gray; feathers of 

 back, tertials, and wing coverts, with dark centers, and edged 

 with white. Primaries, black. Rest of plumage, white. 



