BUFFLE HEAD DUCK. 



CTRICTLY a North American species,the Ruffle Head 

 is found pretty generally from the Arctic Sea to 

 Mexico and Cuba. In Alaska it is not common on the 

 coast, but has been met with on some of the Aleutian 

 Islands, and Stejneger procured it on the Commander 

 Islands, showing that it goes to the Asiatic side of the 

 Pacific Ocean, but probably only incidentally, not as a 

 regular visitant. While a constant dweller upon our 

 lakes and rivers, the Dipper also comes to the sea-coasts 

 as soon as the inland waters are frozen. It is a cold- 

 weather Duck, and only appears within our borders when 

 driven south by the coming of winter. Its appearance is 

 generally an indication that severe weather will follow. 

 The male is one of the most beautiful and sprightly of our 

 native Ducks, and is a great ornament to our waters. 

 The female, on the contrary, in her subdued grayish 

 brown plumage, lacks entirely the attractive dress of her 

 lord, and would easily escape notice even among plainly 

 attired birds. But the male seems conscious of his 

 beauty, and, when upon the water, moves rapidly about, 

 turning first one side then the other to the observer, and 

 elevating or contracting his fluffy crest, causing its metal- 

 lic colors to scintillate in the sun's rays. 



This pretty Duck has had many names given to it 

 among which are, Butter Ball, Spirit Duck, Marionette, 

 Butter Box, and Scotch Teal; but those most gener- 

 ally employed are Buffle Head and Dipper, already men- 

 tioned. This species nests in hollow trees, lining the 



