330 ANATID^ : SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 



RUDDY DUCK. 



Erismatura rubida (Wils.) Bp. 



Chars. Remarkably distinguished from other FuligulincB by the 

 stiffened, linear-lanceolate tail-feathers (sixteen to twenty in 

 number), exposed to the base by reason of extreme shortness 

 of the coverts ; bill broad, flattened, the nail large, overhang- 

 ing. The male in perfect plumage with the neck all round and 

 the upper parts brownish-red, the lower parts silky silvery-white 

 watered with dusky, the chin and sides of the head dead-white, 

 the crown and nape black ; but not often seen in this condition 

 in the United States. As generally observed, and the female 

 at all times, brown above, finely dotted and waved with dusky, 

 paler and duller below, with darker undulations, and sometimes 

 a slight tawny tinge, as also occurs on the sides of the head ; 

 crown and nape dark brown ; bill dusky ; crissum always white. 



Common, chiefly in the character of a migrant, in 

 spring and fall. As correctly given by Allen, for Massa- 

 chusetts, it is a winter visitant, and Coues remarks that 

 some individuals may breed in northern New England, 

 while Brewer only gives it as a migratory species. Mr. 

 Hiram Cutting saw an old bird and three young at 

 Lake Memphremagog, in Vermont, where it probably 

 bred. 



ST. DOMINGO DUCK. 



NOMONYX DOMINICA (Z.) Ridg. 



Chars. Male : head anteriorly and chin black ; hind-head, neck, 

 and breast deep ferruginous ; above, brownish-red, blotched 

 with black; below, lighter ferruginous; speculum white. Fe- 

 male similar, but less strongly marked. Length, 13 50 ; wing, 

 6.25 ; tail, 3.75 ; bill, 1. 33, smaller and less expanded than in 

 the preceding. 



