4 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



the Atlantic coast and is the common " Shelldrake " of Florida ; some winters 

 they are abundant. This and the Hooded Merganser are the two species 

 which are common in Florida in winter. 



The female of this species may be easily distinguished from the American 

 Merganser by the difference in the measurement of the bill : the bird is also 

 somewhat smaller. The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill in 

 this species measures more than 1.50 inches. 



It breeds from New Brunswick northward, the eggs being pale buff in 

 color and usually from eight to twelve in number. 



Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 



LOPHODYTES CUCULLATU5 (Z/;///.). 

 Hooded Merganser. 



Achilt male : Head with large black and 



white crest ; upper parts black : under parts 

 white having the sides Ijrownish dehcately 

 barred with black. 



Length, I9.5O: Wing, 7.75 : Tarsus. 1.30: 

 Bill, 1.50. 



Adult female: Head and neck brownish, show- 

 ing a slight crest, but not nearly as large as in 

 the male ; under parts white. 



Length. I8.5O: Wing. 7.75 : Tarsus. 1.30: 

 Bill, 1^50. 

 The young bird resembles the female, but has no crest. 

 Length. 18. 5O; Wing. 7.70: Tarsus. 1.25 : BiH. 1.50. 



This species is found in 

 many parts of North 



America, having a wide 

 distribution. It is com- 

 mon in Florida in winter, 

 t-^'aie-i and ranges along the Gulf 



coast to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its 

 range. The eggs are usually' deposited in a hollow' 

 tree near the water : they are wiiite, sometimes buffy 

 white in color, and usuallv number from seven to 

 ten. It has a peculiar note, somewhat resembling 

 that of the Scaup Duck, but sharper. 



