RIXGED-XECK DUCK. 



V[0\\'HERE so abundant as is the last species, the 

 Ringed Neck has nevertheless as wide a distribution 

 as the Broad I>ill. and ranges over the whole of North 

 America from the Arctic Sea to Guatemala and the West 

 Indies. It bears a considerable number of names, and 

 is often confounded with the Little Scaup Duck, and 

 in different portions of the United States is called Tufted 

 Duck, Ring Bill. Bastard Broad Bill, Shuffler, Ring- 

 billed Shuffler, Ring-billed Black Head, Ringed-neck 

 Black Head. Ringed-neck Scaup, and Canard Xoir in 

 Louisiana. It probably has some more names, but these 

 are about all that I have heard applied to this bird myself, 

 and those most commonly used are the one at the head of 

 this article, and Ring Bill. 



It is not a common species, goes in small flocks, and 

 frequently is found in company with the Little Scau]), 

 which it resembles very closely in its general habits. It 

 breeds from the northern part of the United States north- 

 ward, and has been seen in Alaska, but the nest has not 

 yet been found there, although it is very probable that the 

 species does breed in that Territory. The few examples 

 seen were so shy that it was impossible to get near them. 

 Nests of this Duck have been found in Wisconsin and 

 Minnesota. In the former State one was found on a bog 

 in thick cover near Pewaukee Lake, and was formed of 

 grasses, and lined with feathers. The nesting habits of 

 this Duck are not very well known and its breeding limits 

 have not been ascertained. The eggs are grayish white, 

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