LIST AND DESCRIPTION 55 



a white black-edged crescent on the shoulder; wings and back 

 striped with green, brown and white. Female : similar in plum- 

 age but much duller; only a very slight crest and with small 

 white patch back of eyes. 



146. REDHEAD (Marila americana.) 



This Duck is nearly as large as the Mallard and in early 

 years was a common breeder, nesting on floating bogs or old 

 rat houses. Male: head and neck reddish brown; breast dark 

 gray; balance of body gray. Female: white throat; balance of 

 body dull brown or gray. 



147. CANVASBACK (Marila valisineria.) 



This Duck is not as common in the State as some other 

 species but it nests occasionally in the eastern part. Like its 

 relative, the Redhead, it builds a nest on floating bogs, old rat 

 houses, or fastened to rushes over the water. It is slightly larger 

 than Redhead. Male: brown head and neck, usually darker 

 around base of bill ; black band in breast reaching around to front 

 of back; back and sides gray; wings ashy gray; tail black. Plum- 

 age of the female quite uniformly brownish gray. One charac- 

 teristic of this Duck is its upper mandible, which gradually slants 

 toward the forehead like the mandible of some geese. 



Mr. G. A. Abbott, in "Birds and Nature," Vol. XVI, page 

 216, says : "Very few of the game birds are more celebrated 

 than the Canvasback. Both sportsmen and epicures find that 

 it meets their highest ideal of game qualities. It flies rapidly 

 and with directness, dives quickly, swims rapidly and withal 

 is remarkably wary and alert. Its flesh is considered incom- 

 parably delicious by many, especially if the bird has been feed- 

 ing on the 'water-celery', an abundant fresh water plant, which 

 is its favorite food. In fact, the Canvasback was given its spe- 

 cific name because of its known fondness for this water plant, 

 which bears the Latin name Vallisneria sp'ir.-lis." 



148. SCAUP DUCK (Marila marila.) "BLACKHEAD," "BLUEBILL." 



Nearly as large as the Redhead and some seasons quite 

 abundant in the State. Probaly a rare breeder in South Dakota 

 although it has frequently nested at Devils Lake, North Dakota. 

 Male: head black glossed with green; breast black; sides and 



