KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 227 
Minnesota northward. It ranges in winter south to the Northern West 
Indies and occasionally occursin Florida, although not in any great numbers. 
It is a very abundant species from Carolina to Virginia during the winter, 
in suitable localities. The Red-head may easily be distinguished from the 
Canvas-back by the shape of the bill. The forehead arches abruptly from 
the bill and does not follow the line of the bill, as in the Canvas-back. 
The female Red-head closely resembles the female of the Ring-necked 
Duck but is larger. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast.* 
AYTHYA VALLISNERIA (Wils.). 
Canvas-back Duck. 
Adult male: Head and neck rufous brown 
becoming dusky on the crown and chin; the 
breast and upper portion of the back blackish; 
rest of upper parts and wing coverts showing 
fine wavy lines of black, general appearance 
being grayish; belly white, the lower portion 
faintly lined with dusky. Sides white, showing 
the delicate lines as on the back, but very much 
fainter and sometimes wanting. 
Adult female: UWHead and neck cinnamon 
brown, paler on the throat; belly white or gray- 
ish white. 
Length, 20 to 22; Wing, 8.75 to 9.25; Bill, .75 
to .80; Tarsus, 1.70. 
The peculiar formation of the bill 
will always distinguish this species 
from the Red-head, which it some- 
what resembles. 
Occurs throughout North America and is more common in the West. 
Breeds from the Northwestern States northward to Alaska. It ranges in 
winter south to Cuba and Jamaica, although it is only a straggler and is by 
no means common in Florida. JI have occasionally killed specimens as far 
south as Cape Canaveral. 
This species is common off the coast of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay 
during the winter months. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast. 
* A single instance is on record of a pair being found breeding near Calais, Maine. 
