BIRDS OF INDIANA. 615 



The greater number of persons, perhaps, cannot distinguish between 

 the Eedhead and the much-esteemed Canvas-back. While their habits 

 are quite similar in certain respects, they like the same food, have sub- 

 stantially the same range and in some ways resemble each other, it 

 requires but little instruction to teach one to discriminate. The long, 

 flat bill with slightly hooked nail of the Canvas-back will distinguish it 

 in any plumage from the shorter, less flattened bill, with decidedly 

 hooked nail of the Redhead. 



Both of these ducks are found in wild celery, and being great divers, 

 are enabled to secure its roots for themselves. When feeding upon 

 this favorite food, the famed Canvas-back is said to be no better than 

 the Redhead. In fact, some persons who claim to have a right, by 

 reason of their experience in gastronomy, to speak with authority, say 

 the latter is the superior bird. It is further said, in some hotels, where 

 the price of the two ducks is quite far apart, they are both served from 

 the same vessel, which, had one noted carefully what went into it, 

 would have been found to be filled with Redheads. 



In fall these ducks return in September, usually toward the latter 

 part. Often they leave very soon. At other times they remain past 

 the middle of October, and occasionally a few may remain later. In 

 1881 the last Redhead was killed at English Lake, September 21. In 

 1889 these ducks were seen in small flocks September 25, and in 1895 

 they were noted at Liverpool, Ind., October 18. 



40. (147.) Aythya vallisneria (WiLs ) 



Canvas-back. 



Adult Male. Head and neck reddish-brown, the former blackish on 

 top; chest, upper back, lower rump and upper and under tail coverts 

 black; rest of plumage (except quills, etc.) white, the upper parts, 

 sides and flanks and ventral region finely waved or vermiculated with 

 dusky. Adult Female. Head, neck, chest, and upper back raw- 

 umber brown; the fore part of the head and foreneck whitish; scapu- 

 lars, sides and flanks similar, but tips of the feathers vermiculated with 

 whitish. 



Length, about 20.00-23.50; wing, 8.75-9.25; bill, 2.10-2.50; greatest 

 depth of bill, .75-.80. 



RANGE. North America, breeding in interior from Minnesota 

 north to Alaska. Winters from Southern States southward to Guate- 

 mala. 



Nest, on ground, of grass and weeds, lined with feathers. Eggs, 

 6-10; grayish-drab or greenish-buff; 2.48 by 1.76. 



