RED HEAD. 



'T^HIS well-known and highly esteemed bird was at one 

 time very abundant in many parts of North America, 

 but constant persecution and indiscriminate slaughter of 

 both adult and young have greatly reduced its numbers 

 throughout the land, and in many, localities where, in 

 former times, it was very abundant in winter, it no longer 

 appears. It is a companion of its famous relative the 

 Canvas Back, and frequents similar localities, and seeks 

 the same food. The distribution of the Red Head is 

 general throughout North America, but it is not so 

 plentiful on the Pacific side of the continent as it is in 

 many places on the eastern coast. It does not seem 

 to penetrate into Alaska, but it breeds throughout the 

 so-called " Fur Countries," east of the Rocky Mountains 

 and north of the fiftieth parallel. It also breeds in vari- 

 ous parts of the United States along the Canadian border, 

 but on account of the advent of railroads and increasing 

 settlement of the country, the breeding grounds of many 

 species of Ducks within our borders have become much 

 restricted, and many localities formerly resorted to by the 

 birds during the nesting season have been abandoned 

 entirely. Absolute freedom from intrusion by depre- 

 dators and security from persecution are the main requi- 

 sites demanded by Water Fowl for their breeding 

 grounds, and when these are no longer obtainable the 

 locality ceases to be available for the purpose. 



The Red Head breeds in what may be termed colonies, 

 with many nests placed close together. These are al- 

 ways near the water, slightly elevated, and composed of 



