104 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



than wliich I have only to say, that it is a beautiful and very 

 delicate little bird : 



" This beautifully variegated little Duck receives its name 

 from the disproportionate size of its head to the body. From 

 its constant diving, it is called by our gunners ' Dipper.' I will 

 here remark, that the true American Dipper^ — Cinclus Ameri- 

 canus — has only been found at the Columbia River. The marked 

 difference in the plumage of the male and female Buffel-headed 

 or ' Spirit Duck,' as it is sometimes called, induces many to sup- 

 pose that they are distinct species. I have met with it in various 

 parts of the United States ; and indeed, during the spring and 

 autumn, it is dispersed throughout the Union, visiting the inte- 

 rior as well as the seacoast ; it dives so dexterously, that when 

 sitting on the water, it is very difficult to kill it, even with per- 

 cussion caps. It is an excellent swimmer, and flies swiftly ; its 

 food consists of small fish ; it is generally in fine condition, but 

 not considered a superior bird for the table. In New-Jersey, 

 it is called ' Butter Box,' or * Butter Ball.' Its note is a single 

 quack. It is generally met with in pairs, until the appearance 

 of spring, when it is seen in small flocks ; it arrives with us in 

 October, remaining until the latter part of April, when it leaves 

 for its summer residence at the North, where it breeds." 



THE HARLEQUIN DUCK. 



"Fuligula Histrionica. — Vidgo, the Loi'd and Lady Duck. 



A very beautiful, but extremely rare species. According to 

 Mr. Audubon, it is very rarely found southward of Boston Bay. 

 Mr. Giraud states that the young only are now found in the inlets 

 of Long Island, although some years since it is said to have 

 abounded there. It breeds along the eastern ccasts uf the 

 United States, up to Labrador. An instance is mentioned by 

 Dr. Richardson, of one killed on the eastern declivity of the 

 Rocky INIountains ; it is probable, therefore, that to the north- 

 ward it extends its migrations very far inland. 



