LESSER BLUEBILL 337 



is not all, for any duck which can last out the 

 New England winter will carry off a good load 

 of shot, as the bird must have an abundance of 

 vitality and an extra heavy suit of underwear 

 to endure the climate. Both these our hero has. 

 The Bluebill comes readily to decoys of almost 

 any species of ducks, and fair shooting may 

 often be had from a blind. 



LESSER BLUEBILL. 



(Aythya affinis.) 



There are two species of this family, the 

 Greater and the Lesser Scaup. The little fel- 

 low is a counterpart of his big brother, and for 

 some time the naturalists of our country were 

 in doubt as to the propriety of considering more 

 than one species, but the final decision has been 

 that the Small Bluebill is properly distinct. 



The Lesser Scaup is southern in its range, 

 breeding quite commonly in suitable localities 

 in the west, and is known in many districts as 

 the "Black Jack." It is possible that some 

 nest in New England's remote corners. They 

 are not uncommon here during the breeding 

 season. In its winter travels this species goes 

 a long way farther into the south than does 



