Duck-shooting 189 



north on the Gulf Coast to the Rio Grande in Texas. Recorded 

 also in North America, from Cedar Lake, Saskatchewan, Wis- 

 consin, Massachusetts, and Vermont ; the last possibly an escaped 

 caged bird, and the Cedar Lake, Saskatchewan, bird was wrongly 

 identified. Occurs in South America, south to Argentina and 

 Chili. 



A tropical relative of the ruddy duck, which it 

 resembles in habits. Found throughout northern 

 South America and in the tropical parts of 

 Mexico and Central America. There are three 

 instances of its occurrence in the United States : 

 one, on the Vermont shore of Lake Champlain, 

 the bird being an adult male; the second speci- 

 men was taken on Rock River, Wisconsin, No- 

 vember, 1870, by Mr. L. Kumlein; the third at 

 Maiden, Massachusetts, in 1889. 



This bird frequents the rivers and lagoons of 

 its habitat, and is seen in pairs and small flocks. 

 Like the ruddy duck, it is an expert diver, often 

 swimming with the head and a small portion of 

 the back exposed. 



The masked duck, more than most species, 

 keeps to the water, and when on dry land pre- 

 sents an awkward appearance, because of the feet, 

 which are so far back as to disturb equilibrium. 

 The flight is rapid, close to the water, and not 

 well sustained. In Trinidad and the West Indies 

 this variety is common, and while to a certain 

 extent migratory, occurs throughout the year. 

 The flesh is excellent. 



