1 86 WATER FOWL. 



like a small edition of the hoarse roll of the Canvas Back 

 and other large diving Ducks. The male Dipper has a 

 habit, when swimming, of stretching out and drawing in 

 its neck, occasionally raising its bill as high as it possibly 

 can, at the same time puffing out the feathers of the 

 head. 1 have noticed that this is done mostly in the 

 spring, when its thoughts are perhaps " lightly turning 

 toward love," and it may be an attractive gesture com- 

 mon to the courting season. At all events, when the 

 head is held high in the air, with crest expanded and the 

 sun shining on its brilliant coloring, he presents for so 

 small a creature a very gallant and handsome appearance. 

 The flesh of this Duck is very palatable, and is excellent 

 when broiled. In the spring the males precede the fe- 

 males on their northern migration, and arrive at their 

 destination several days before their fair ones. The Dip- 

 per feeds on a variety of objects, such as fish and mol- 

 lusks on the sea-coasts, and snails, leeches, grasses, and 

 other water plants in the interior. 



CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA. 



Geographical Distribution. — North America, from the Arctic 

 Ocean to Mexico and Cuba. Breeds from Maine and Montana, 

 northward. 



Adult Male. — A broad white band extends from behind and 

 beneath the eye to the occiput. Rest of head and top of neck, 

 glossed with metallic green, purple, violet, and bronze reflec- 

 tions. The feathers of the head are puffed out, and lengthened 

 on sides and back. Lower part of neck, entire under parts, 

 large patch on wing, composed of wing coverts and outer webs 

 of secondaries, and scapulars, white. Inner secondaries, black. 

 Primaries, black. Back and rump, black, fading into the pearl 

 gray of the upper tail coverts. Tail, dark gray, with white edges 

 to the feathers. Bill, bluish gray; nail, dusky. Iris, dark brown. 

 Legs and feet, flesh color; webs, darker. Total length, about 

 14I inches; wing, 6i; culraen, \-^^\ tarsus, ij^^. 



