94 



BUFFLE-HEAD 

 153. Charitonetta albeola. 14 in. 



Head iridescent with green, purple and blue, and with 

 a large white patch extending from eye to eye, across 

 the back of the puffy crest. Female with a white patch 

 on either side of her brownish head; speculum white. 

 They are known by a great variety of names such as 

 " Butter Ball," " Spirit Duck," " Dipper," etc., the ma- 

 jority of which refer to the celerity 'with which they 

 can disappear under the water. They are always on 

 the alert and will dive at the flash of a gun. They are 

 able to continue incessant diving for a long period and 

 can remain under water for a long time. Their flight is 

 very rapid, and when alighting in the water they make 

 considerable splash, but can take wing from it easier 

 than the majority of ducks. 



Notes. A single guttural croak. 



Nest. In hollow trees; eggs greenish gray (2.00x 

 1.40) ; June. 



Range. Breeds from the northern boundary of the 

 V. S. northward; winters throughout the U. S. 



