44 BIRDS OF PENNS YL VANIA. 



Aythya affinis (EYT.). 



Lesser-Scaup Duck ; Little Black-head. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 62). 



Very similar to the previously described species, measuring about 16 inches in 

 length and about 28 inches in extent ; head glossed with purplish-violet. 



Habitat. North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the United States, 

 migrating south to Guatemala and the West Indies. 



The Little Black-head or Little Blue-bill, a common spring- and fall 

 migrant, is found generally throughout the state. At Erie bay it is one 

 of the most common ducks, being found there regularly, when migrat- 

 ing, in large flocks. During mild winters small, scattered flocks of this 

 species are frequently met with in this region. Dr. Walter Van Fleet, 

 of Renovo, Pa., informs me that about four years ago he saw a pair of 

 these ducks for two consecutive seasons, during the summer months, 

 inhabiting an extensive marshy meadow in Northumberland county, Pa., 

 where he believes they bred. In the winter of 1885 I found the Little- 

 Blue-bill in immense flocks at Lake George, Florida, where it is known 

 as the Raft Duck. 



Aythya collaris (DONOV.). 



Ring-necked Duck. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Very similar to Black-head ; male with narrow brownish ring about middle of 

 neck ; speculum gray ; back blackish ; head and neck above ring black, glossed with 

 green and purplish violet. Female has brownish head and neck, chin, sides of head 

 and ring about eye whitish. Bill in male is black, lighter at base and at end, and in 

 female is brownish-black ; tarsi, bluish-gray ; eyes yellow. Length about 18 inches ; 

 extent about 28 inches. 



Habitat. North America, breeding far north and migrating south to Guatemala 

 and the West Indies. 



The Ring-necked Duck is a regular and reasonably common spring 

 and fall migrant in this state. At Erie bay it is often found in company 

 with other species, particularly the Little Black-head. The Ring-necked 

 Duck feeds largely on seeds of different aquatic plants. 



GENUS GLAUCIONETTA STEJNEGER. 

 Glaucionetta clangula americana (BONAP.). 



American Golden-eye ; Whistler. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 59). 



Bill considerably shorter than head, and very high at base ; frontal feathers ex- 

 tend beyond those on sides ; tail of sixteen feathers and rather pointed. 



Male. Head and upper part of the short neck glossy-green, and a rounded patch 

 of white along base of bill in front of eye (in a young male before me the head is 



