70 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



149. Aythya affinis (EYT.) [615.] 



Lesser Scaup Duck. 



Hab. North America in general, migrating south to Guatemala and the West Indies. 



As its name indicates, this species is smaller than the last, to 

 which it is very similar. Breeds chiefly north of the United States. 

 It is a common summer resident in the lakes, marshes, ponds, and 

 rivers of Western Manitoba and throughout other portions of the fur 

 countries northward. Its nesting habits and its eggs are the same as 

 A. marila nearctica. The average size of the eggs is about 2.25X 1.58. 



150. Aythya collaris (DONOV.) [616.] 



Ring-necked Duck. 



Hab. North America, migrates south to Gautemala and the West Indies. 



Ring-billed Blackhead, Marsh Blue-bill and Ring-necked Scaup 

 Duck are names by which this species is commonly known. In the 

 United States it is a common spring and fall migrant, and breeds from 

 Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other northern States northward. 

 In some parts of Manitoba it is very abundant, especially in the Red 

 River Valley, where it breeds in the marshes of the lakes and ponds, 

 among the reeds and thick grasses. The nest is made of fine grasses, 

 and slightly lined with feathers. In its general appearance, the bird 

 is similar to the foregoing, but the adult male has an orange-brown ring 

 around the neck; the female has no collar, and the head and neck are 

 brown. This bird may be known in all stages of plumage by the 

 broad bill and gray speculum. The Ring neck lays from six to twelve 

 eggs, varying from grayish to buff color ; they are elliptical in shape, 

 and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 by 1.60 to 1.65. 



151. Glaucionetta clangula americana ( BONAP.) [620.] 



American Golden-eye. 



Hab. North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces northward; migrates south to 

 Cuba. 



The American Golden-eye, Whistler, Garrot, or " Great-Head," is 

 very similar to the next species. It has a large round white spot 

 before the eye, not touching the base of the bill throughout. It is 

 given the name of Whistler from the peculiar noise of the wings while 

 flying, and Great Head from its large and beautifully created head. It 

 is an abundant species throughout the fur countries, where it frequents 

 the rivers and fresh-water lakes in great numbers. Breeds as far north 

 as Alaska, where, on the Yukon, it nests about the middle of June. 

 Like the Wood Duck, it constructs its nests in hollow trees and 

 decayed trunks. It is made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with 

 down from the bird's breast. 



The eggs are from six to ten in number, ashy green in color, 



