NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. M 



This duck is variously named, as Butter-ball, "Dipper," "Butter-box," "Spirit 

 Duck" and "Hell-diver." It dives with the greatest of ease, slipping under the 

 water almost as quickly as a grebe. Its expertness in diving enables it to obtain 

 food in very deep water. The Buffle-head is peculiarly an American species, but of 

 accidental occurrence in Europe. In Manitoba and throughout all the fur countries 

 it is a common summer resident, breeding as far north as Alaska. The nests are 

 concealed in hollows of trees or stumps, near the hanks of streams. They are lined 

 with down and feathers. The Butter-ball breeds occasionally in Northern Maine. 

 In the United States it is an abundant spring and fall migrant, and in many places 

 al winter resident. The male is one of the handsomest of our small ducks. The 

 head is particularly puffy, of varied rich iridescence, with a large showy white 

 patch on each side behind the eye. The broad black and white pattern of his upper 

 coat stands out in strong contrast against a glossy white breast. The female is 

 smaller and a very insignificant looking duck ; the head is scarcely puffy, dark gray, 

 with traces of the white auricular patch. The eggs of this duck vary from buff to a 

 creamy- white or grayish-olive; ellipsoidal in form and range from six to fourteen in 

 number; sizes from 1.95 to 2.05 long by 1.35 to 1.50 broad. 



154. OliD-SQTTAW. Clartffula hyemalls (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Northern hemis- 

 phere; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio. Breeds far northward. 



The Long-tailed Duck, Old Wife or South-southerly, as it is variously called, is 

 distributed throughout the northern portions of the globe, making its summer 

 home in Arctic regions. A resident in Greenland and breeds in various places in 



154. Old Squaw or Long-tailed Duck, Male. 



Iceland. The nests are made on the margins of lakes or ponds, among low bushes 

 or tall grass; they are constructed of grasses and generally, but not always, warmly 

 lined with down and feathers. The eggs are from six to twelve In number. The 

 Long-tailed Duck inhabits the more northern countries of Europe — a winter visitant 

 to Great Britain, and it is found occasionally in Germany and France. Abundant 

 on the sea coast of Alaska, is resident on the Prybllof and Aleutian Islands. In the 

 United States it is found only In winter. The male of the Old-squaw is a handsome . 

 duck, and may be recognized by its long tail and peculiar reddish-brown and 

 brownish-black and white markings. The female lacks the lengthened tail-feathers. 



