Family AN ATI D^. Genus Fuligula. 



Subfamily Fuligulinm. 



BTJFFEL-HEADED DUCK. 



FULIGULA KYS^O\.h.—{Linnceus). 



Geographical Distribution. — British .- Very rare straggler. 

 Its claim to rank as " British " rests on the following evidence. 

 England: Norfolk (i example), winter, 1830; Yorkshire (i ex- 

 ample), winter, 1864-65. Scotland: Aberdeenshire (i example), 

 January, 1865 ; Loch Strathbeg (i example), no date. Ireland : 

 although there is some evidence that this species has visited 

 Ireland, nothing can be stated positively until an example is 

 secured. Foreign : Northern Nearctic region ; more southerly in 

 winter. Breeds throughout Arctic America up to the limit of 

 forest growth, and as far south as Maine and Wisconsin. It 

 winters in the United States, California, the West Indies, and 

 Mexico. It occasionally visits the Bermudas on passage, and 

 has occurred in Greenland on the east, and Behring Island on 

 the west. 



Allied Forms. — None nearer than Fuligula glaucion and 

 allied races, a British species, and dealt with fully in the following 

 chapter. 



Time during which the BufFel-headed Duck may be 



taken. — August ist to March ist; otherwise by authority of 

 owner or occupier of land. 



Habits. — So far as they are known, the habits of the Buffel- 

 headed Duck resemble very closely those of its near ally, the 

 Golden-eye. Like that species it is much attached to inland 

 waters, and only appears to seek the sea when its other retreats 

 are sealed by ice. It flies well and strongly, swims quickly, and 

 dives with such astounding speed that in some localities it is 



