DUCKS, GEESK AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 57 



The eggs are described as being pale olive buff, and number from six to 

 ten. The nest is built on the ground. 



The only duck (except the Lesser Scaup Duck) with which this common 

 bird is likely to be confounded is the Ring-neck, and it can always be distin- 

 guished at a glance from that species by the white band on the wing (speculum) , 

 which is always gray in the Ring-neck. 



AYTHYA AFFINIS {Eyt.). 

 Lesser Scaup Duck. 



Blue-bill. 



Mule : Resembles the male of the preceding species but is somewhat smaller in size ; the 

 head generallj' shows a faint gloss of purplish, which in the Greater Scaup Duck is usually 

 greenish. 



Length, 17; wing, 8.10; tarsus, 1.50; bill, 1.80. 



The female resembles the female of the preceding species, but is smaller ; the speculum, 

 of both male and female, is white, and this duck may always be distinguislied from the Eing- 

 neck by this character. 



Length, 16.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 



This bird ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United 

 States, and occurs in winter south to Guatemala and West Indies. It is the 

 most common species in Florida, being one of the first to arrive and among 

 the last to leave the State. I have seen small flocks of them in the rivers as 

 late as the first of May. The note of this and the Greater Scaup Duck is 

 peculiar, difficult to describe, but rather easy to imitate. It somewhat resem- 

 bles the sound made by rubbing tlie finger quickly and lightly over a roll-top 

 desk. 



