SEA DUCKS. 



Ill 



head and rufous-brown in the f Junvnsbuek ; (2) by the generally blackish 

 chin and crown of tlie Canvasbuck, tliese parts in the Kedhcad being colored 

 like the rest of the head; (3) by the diticrence in the markings of the hack, 

 wing-coverts, and sides ; and (4) by the diticreni-e in the size and shape of the 

 bill, as shown by the ucoonipanyiiig measurements. The females of the two 

 species may be at once distinguished by the color of the back, which in the 

 Canvasback is finely barred with wavy white lines, markings which do not 

 appear on the back of the female Redhead. 



Range. — North America ; breeds only in the interior, from Minnesota to 

 the Arctic Circle ; rare on the Atlantic coast north of Delaware ; winters from 

 the (Chesapeake Bay to the Greater Antilles. 



Wa.shington, rare W. V. Long Island, rare T. V. Sing Sing, rare T. V., 

 Oot. 



Ntst^i on the grouml, in grassy slouglis or marshy lake sides. E<jijs, six to 

 ten, butty white with a bluish tinge, 2'4U x 170. 



There's much in a name. The reputation of the Canvasback, among 

 gourmands, is too firmly established to be questioned ; but, given the 

 same cfief, and half a dozen of our Ducks can be made to do duty for 

 this favorite of epicures. In some parts of the west, where folkb have 

 a way of thinking for themselves, the Canvasback is frankly placed 

 second to his cousin the Redhead. 



The Canvasback is at its best when the bird has been for some time 

 feeding on wild celery — a diet wliich equally improves the flesh <>f 

 other species. 



148. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. Am. Scm-p Ditk : Greater 

 Scaup Duck; Broadbill ; BuKiuLr. ; Blackhead. Ad. S. — Head, neck, 

 breast, and upper back black, the top and sides of the head with genendly 

 greenish reflections; back and scapulars with wavy black and white bars; 

 speculum white; upper and under tail-covcrts black; belly white; lower 

 belly strongly and sides faintli/ marked with wavy black bars. .((/. 9 . — 

 Region around the base of the bill irhite ; head, neck, breast, and upper back 

 umber, margined with ochraceous on tlie breast; back and scapulars fuscous- 

 brown ; sides dark grayish brown, both generally marked with tine, wavy 

 bars of white; speculum and belly irhite. $ L., is-.W; W., S'To; Tar., 1-40; 

 B., l-{)o; greatest width of B., 1-00. 9 L., IT-aO; W., 8-25; Tar., l-SG; B., 

 1-05; greatest width of B., 1-00. 



Range. — North America; breeds in the interior rarely from Minnesota 

 and regularly from Manitoba northward to Alaska; reported on the Atlan- 

 tic from as far nortii i * (Jreenland, but not known to breed and not conunon 

 north of Massacliusetts ; winters from Long Island to northern South America. 



Washington, rather eonunon W. V. Long Island, abundant T. V., Sopt. 

 25 to May 1, some winter. Sing Sing, conunon T. V., Mch. 22 to Apl. 13; 

 Oct. 4 to Dec. 3.* 



'*' The presence or absence of Ducks in the winter depends upon whether the 

 river is frozen or open. 



