14 BULLETIN FERGUS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 



rivers might show that it is of more common occurrence. In his notes 

 regarding the occurrence of the canvas-back, Dr. Coues says that in most 

 of the Missouri region, the canvas-back is not so common as the redhead. 



Distinguishing features: In the male, the bright chestnut-red of the 

 head extends downward to the middle of the neck, where it is displaced 

 by the black of the chest and upper parts; belly white, unmarked; length 

 17-21 inches. Female has sides of head, neck, and lower parts dull yellow- 

 ish, lighter below. 



147. CANVAS-BACK. Aythya vallisneria. 



A regular migrant, not met with often away from the larger rivers 

 bordering the county. 



Distinguishing features: In the male, the reddish-brown of the 

 head extends downward over the whole neck, and the head is blackish 

 on top; otherwise similar to the redfiead, except the belly is marked with 

 fine wavy lines; length 20-24 inches. In the female, the shoulders and sides 

 are whitish. 



149. LESSER SCAUP DUCK. Aythya affinis. 



Occurs regularly in migration along the prairie streams. Dr. Elliott 

 Coues found this duck breeding in numbers along the Upper Missouri and 

 Milk River, in some places seemingly more abundant than any other 

 species. Capt. Platte M. Thorne reports this species as rare at Ft. Keogh. 



Distinguishing features: The male has black head, neck, and chest, 

 the head having a purplish tinge; speculum white, with black border below; 

 length 15-17 inches. Female with brown instead of black. 



151. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. Clangula clangula americana. 



A common migrant along the larger streams of this region. On Dec. 6, 

 1902, a specimen was brought to me which was taken on the Judith River 

 near Deerfield. The American golden-eye doubtless is a regular breeder 

 in this section where dead trees are found on the banks of the streams, as 

 it is one of the tree-nesting ducks, using cavities as does the wood duck. 



Distinguishing features: The male has head and upper part of neck 

 black tinged with green, the side of the head having a large round white 

 spot; large white wing-patch; under parts white; length 18-23 inches. Fe- 

 male with brown head, grayish chest, somewhat smaller than male. 

 153. BUFFLE-HEAD. Charitonetta albeola. 



A regular migrant generally in the county, and probably breeding oc- 

 casionally along the Missouri and Musselshell. Dr. Coues is authority 

 for the fact of its breeding along Milk River and its tributaries. 



Distinguishing features: The male has head and upper part of neck 

 metallic green, with other reflections, and large white spot behind eye ; 

 lower parts and wings chiefly white; length 14-16 inches. Female with 

 brown instead of metallic colors; length 12-14 inches. 



167. RUDDY DUCK. Erismatura jamaicensis. 



The ruddy duck occurs regularly during the migrations in suitable 

 places throughout the county. Dr. Coues notes its presence during the 

 breeding season in Montana, along the Milk River and its northern trib- 

 utaries. Capt. Thorne reports it rare at Ft. Keogh. 



