106 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



flunks (which are simihir to the abdomen, but darker), as on the adult male. Young : Similar to 

 the adult female. Downy young : Above, dark smoky brown, darker on the head ; a whitish spot 

 on each side the back ; a brownish white stripe beneath the eye, from the bill to near the occiput ; 

 beneath this, a narrower dusky brown one, confluent with the brown of the nape, reaching almost 

 or quite to the rictus. Lower parts grayish white, strongly shaded with sooty brown across the 

 ju^ulum. [Described from a specimen obtained by Dr. E. Coues, U. S. A., at Turtle Mountain, 

 Dakota, July 28, 1873.] 



Although the collection of the National Museum contains numerous examples of this species, 

 only a small proportion of them have the sex indicated, while on a still smaller number is the date 

 noted. It is therefore ditficult to determine satisfactorily, from the material at haml, the seasonal 

 and sexual differences of plumage. Certain it is, however, that specimens in the plumage described 

 above as that of the adult male in full plumage occur both in summer and winter. Audubon says 

 that the " adult female in summer" " presents the same characters as in the male ;" but although 

 this may very likely be true, the series under examination affords no indication of it. He describes 

 the "male one year old" as having "a similar white patch on the side of the head ; upper part of 

 head and hind neck dull blackish brown ; throat and sides of neck grayish brown, lower part of 

 neck dull reddi.sh brown, waved with dusky; upper parts as in the adult, but of a duller tint ; 

 lower parts grayish white." 



The Ruddy Duck is an exclusively American species, and, so far as I am aware, 

 has never been met Avith, even as a straggler, in Europe. It is found throughout 

 North America from high northern latitudes to Central America, and even the north- 

 ern portion of South America, in all of which places it also undoubtedly breeds ; 

 though in the country intermediate between Guatemala and the Arctic Regions it is 

 of rare occurrence. 



Mr. Salvin states that it was the only resident Duck found by him on the Lake of 

 Duenas. Its numbers diminish during the period of the spring migration, the imma- 

 ture birds at that time seeking other quarters. He found this species more easily 

 procurable than any other of the Ducks frequenting that lake, as a peculiarity in 

 its powers of flight renders its escape less easy than it would otherwise be. This 

 bird, namely, can fly as well as any other when it is once fairly started, but it rises 

 with great difficulty from the water ; and, in consequence of this, it can be approached 

 within easy gunshot by sailing down upon it before the wind. Sometimes, however, 

 this Duck seeks safety by diving ; and when it does this, so rapid are its motions that 

 it is almost certain to escape. Mr. Salvin found this species building its nest in May 

 among the reeds on the margin of the lake, using for this purpose the stones and 

 leaves of the dead flags, together with a little down. The eggs are like those of the 

 European Erismatura leucocej)hala, and very rough in texture, although not quite as 

 much so as the eggs of that species. He describes them as being of a dirty cream- 

 white color, measuring 2.37 inches in length, and 1.83 in breadth. The eggs were 

 sometimes rather more elongated than this, as some measured 2.56 by 1.77 inches. It 

 was found by Dr. Kennerly in large flocks on a small lake, near Janos, Mexico, in 

 April, and on the Petataro River. 



Captain Blakiston mentions the occurrence of this species at York Factory on 

 Hudson's Bay, and Mr. Ross met with it in the region of Great Slave Lake. 



According to the observations of Sir John Richardson, it frequents the small lakes 

 of the interior up to the 58th parallel. He speaks of it as being very unwilling to 

 take to wing, but as diving remarkably well. In swimming it carries its tail erect, 

 and, in consequence of the shortness of its neck, nearly as high as the head : this 

 peculiarity causes the bird to appear as if it had two heads, and makes it very easy 

 of recognition, even at a distance. Dr. Bryant found this species very common in 

 winter in the Bahamas. 



