BUFFLE-HEAD. 



DIPPER, BUTTER-BALL. SPIRIT DUCK. 

 Charitonetta ALBEOLA. 



Char. Back, rump, and part of wings black, remainder of wing white, 

 varied somewhat with black; head black, with green and purple reflec- 

 tions ; a triangular patch of white from the eyes to the nape ; lower neck 

 and under parts white ; tail slate gray ; bill leaden blue ; legs yellowish 

 pfnk. Length 15 inches. The female is smaller, with a general color of 

 grayish brown and a white patch on the cheeks and wings. Young birds 

 resemble the female. 



Nest. In a hollow of a tree or stump near a pond or stream, — a thick 

 cushion of down on a platform of decayed wood. 



Eggs. 6-14 (usually about 10) ; ivory white or pale buff, sometimes 

 with a tinge of olive ; average size 2.00 X 1.45. 



This very elegant little Duck, so remarkable for its expert- 

 ness in diving and disappearing from the sight, is another of 

 those species, like the Golden-eye, to which the aborigines 

 have given the name of Spirit, or Conjurer, from the impunity 

 with which it usually escapes at the flash of the gun or the 



