450 FUL1GULA AFF1N1S. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens. Length, 19'00; stretch, 3%' 50; wing, 8'50; tail, 2'75; bill, I'SO; tarsus, 1'50. 

 Longest specimen, 20 00; greatest extent of wing, 34'00; longest wing, 9'OH; tail, 3'00; bill, T85; tarsus, 1'tiO. Shortest 

 specimen, 18-00; smallest extent of wing, 30 00; shortest wing, 8'00; tail, 2'50; bill, 1'75; tarsus, 1'40. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of sticks, weeds, etc. Eggs, from six to ten in number, ellip- 

 tical in form, ashy-green in color. Dimensions from I'70x2'35 to I'75x2'50. 



HABITS. 



The Greater Black-heads, or Blue-bills as they are called by sportsmen, are very far 

 from being common on the coast of Massachusetts, even in winter, but occur to the south- 

 ward in considerable numbers. They closely resemble the succeeding in colors and habits 

 but are really a distinct species. They are, however, rather more maritime than the Little 

 Black-heads, yet are found on the lakes and rivers of the interior. They breed in the far 

 North. 



FULIGTJLA AFFINI3. 



Little Black-head. 

 Fuligul a qffinis ETTON, Mon. Anat.; 1838, 157. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, small. COLOR. Excepting in being .smaller, in having the head glossed with violet on- 

 ly, and in having no white sprinklings on shoulders, this species does not differ from the Greater Black-head, to which re- 

 fer for further description. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



For comparison with other species see preceding. Distribute 1, in summer, throughout the North-west and North ; 

 wintering from New Jersey, southward. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 16'80; stretch, sJO'OO; wing, 7'50; tail, 2'55; bill, 

 1'35; tarsus, 1'30. Longest specimen, 17'25; greatest extent of wing, 29'50; longest wing, 7'75; tail, 2 75, bill, 1'75; tarsus, 

 1 50. Shortest specimen, 15'50; smallest extent of wing, 28'50; shortest wing, 7'30; tail, a 35; bill, T05; tarsus, rio. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed (n fie ground in marshy places, composed of sticks, weeds, etc. Eyys, six to ten in number, elliptical 

 in form, and ashy-green in color. Dimensions from 1'GO x 2'25 to T65 x 2'30. 



HABITS. 



The Little Black-heads or Scaups are quite common on the rivers and ponds of the 

 Northern States, and congregate in great numbers on the inland waters of the South in 

 winter, but are particularly abundant in Florida, fairly swarming on the St. John's and 

 Indian Rivers. They are highly gregarious and gather in largn compact flocks, especially 

 at night, from which circumstance they are termed Raft Ducks. When disturbed at such 

 times, they rise with a noise like thunder, fly a short distance, and settle down again. In 

 the immediate vicinity of settlements they are shy, but I have always found them very 

 unsuspicious in the wilder districts, where they would allow me to walk or row within a 

 few yards of them. As their flesh is fishy and dry, I seldom shot them; thus they would 

 gather in the little bay in front of our camp on Indian River in considerable numbers.' Like 

 all Ducks of this genus, they dive well, remaining a considerable time under water. The 

 Scaups linger in the South until late in spring. 



FULIGULA COLLARIS. 



Ring-necked Duck. 

 Fuliyula collaris BON. List; 1842. 



DESCRIPTION. 

 i>. Cu. Form, robust. Size, small. Adult male. Head and neck all around, excepting band in the middle which is 



