KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA, 



227 



Minnesota northward. It ranges in winter south to the Northern West 

 Indies and occasionally occurs in Florida, although not in an}^ great numbers. 

 It is a very abundant species from Carolina to Virginia during the winter, 

 in suitable localities. The Red-head may easily be distinguished from the 

 Canvas-back by the shape of the bill. The forehead arches abruptly from 

 the bill and does not follow the line of the bill, as in the Canvas-back. 



The female Red-head closelv resembles the female of the Ring-necked 

 Duck but is lartrer. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast.* 



AYTHYA VALLISNERIA (JViVs.). 

 Canvas^^back Duck. 



Adult male : Head and neck rufous brown 

 becoming dusky on the crown and chin ; the 

 breast and upper portion of the back blackish ; 

 rest of upper parts and wing coverts showing 

 fine wavy lines of black, general appearance 

 being grayish ; belly white, the lower portion 

 faintly lined with dusky. Sides white, showing 

 the delicate lines as on the back, l^ut very much 

 fainter and sometimes wanting. 



Adult female : Head and neck cinnamon 

 brown, paler on the throat ; belly white or gray- 

 ish white. 



Length, 20 to 22 ; Wing, 8. 75 to 9.25 ; Bill, .75 

 to .So; Tarsus, 1.70. 



The peculiar formation of the bill 

 will always distinguish this species 

 from the Red-head, which it some- 

 w^hat resembles. 



Occurs throughout North America and is more common in the West. 

 Breeds from the Northwestern States northward to Alaska. It ranges in 

 winter south to Cuba and Jamaica, although it is only a straggler and is by 

 no means common in Florida. I have occasionally killed specimens as far 

 south as Cape Canaveral. 



This species is common off the coast of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay 

 during: the winter months. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast. 



A single instance is on record of a pair being found breeding near Calais, Maine. 



