71 



Field Marks. Bill, when observed, will separate these from Mergansers though they 

 are more easily recognized in life as species than as a subfamily. 



Nesting. Usually on the ground, although sometimes in trees. 



Distribuiion. A' though some representatives of this subfamily are found commonly 

 on every waterway in Canada both species and individuals are more numerous on the 

 coast than in the interior. 



The Bay and Sea Ducks, though more at home in large open waters, 

 often frequent marshes and shallower waters for feeding. They are good 

 divers, sometimes descending to astonishing depths for shell-fish or vege- 

 table matter. They include some of the finest table species. 



Economic Status. The direct economic importance of their food 

 habits is even less than that of the other Ducks. 



Genus — Marila. Redheads, Canvas-backs, and Scaups. 



146. Redhead, fr. — le milouin a tete roussb. Marila americana. L, 19. A 

 rather large Duck with an even-coloured, brick-red head and upperneck; black breast; 

 grey back finely vermiculated with black; white below. Head of female duller in colour, 

 even to dull grey-brown, and canvas-coloured back replaced by an even wash of brown 

 sometimes without hint of fine vermiculation. 



Distinctions. Male resembles the Canvas-back but back considerably darker and 

 red of head does not come to shoulders as in that species. Females of these two species are 

 even more alike, but shape of bill is always diagnostic (See Canvas-back). Females also 

 somewhat like those of Scaup and Golden-eye but distinguished by grey instead of white 

 speculum or wing-patch and absence of white face mark. The Ring-necked Duck has a 

 similar speculum but is a much smaller bird and has the white face mark. 



Field Marks. Colour of head and outline of head and bill. 



Nesting. Usually on land or slightly elevated from water, nest of reeds with more 

 or less down. 



Distribution. Usually only a migrant east of the prairie provinces, though at one time 

 a few bred locally in Great Lakes region; rare on east coast. 



One of our finest Ducks and when fed on wild celery its flesh has as 

 fine a flavour as that of the Canvas-back. It is rather less of an open- 

 water-bird than many of the Sea Ducks and is often found on marshes 

 and ponds. 



147. Canvas-back. fr. — le milouin aux yeux rouges. Martia valisineria. 

 L, 21. A large Duck; male with dull brick-red head and neck; black breast; white below; 

 back white with very fine dark vermiculations bearing a resemblance to canvas, to 

 which the species owes its name. In female the redness of head and neck is reduced to 

 brownish grey and the back is brownish. 



Distinctions. Colours very close to those of comparable Redhead plumages; dis- 

 tinguished from Redhead by shape of bill which in Canvas-back is longer and heavier, 

 springing from well up on forehead and giving an almost straight cubnen line rather than a 

 concave one as in Redhead. Male much whiter on back and the red comes down to the 

 shoulders instead of stopping halfway down the neck. Young and females may possibly 

 be confused with the Scaups, Ring-bill, or Golden-eye, but may be separated by superior 

 size or the lack of white or grey on the wing or of white on the face. 



Field Marks. Red or reddish, or reddish-grey head, lack of white on face or wing, 

 and shape and outline of head and bill. 



Nesting. Nest of reeds lined with down, built over water. 



Distribution. Of regular though not very cr mmon occurrence on lower Great Lakes 

 east to lake Erie; rare on Atlantic coast but more common in western Canada where it 

 breeds. 



