236 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 
Genus ERISMATURA Bonap. 
ERISMATURA RUBIDA (Wils.). 
Ruddy Duck. 
Adult male: Apatchof white on the cheeks and chin; rest of head and general plumage 
chestnut brown; the under parts silver white; tail feathers pointed and stiff. Male in winter 
has the back of the head and neck smoky brown; cheeks white; the bill bluish and the feet 
lead color. : 
Adult female: The general color of the upper parts is brownish gray; sides of the head and 
throat whitish, shading into gray on the lower throat and upper breast; under parts silver white, 
as in the male. 
Length, 15.30; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1.50. 
It may easily be distinguished from other species by its small size, 
chestnut brown color, and stiff pointed tail feathers. 
It ranges throughout North America, breeding locally nearly throughout 
its range. It ranges in winter south to Cuba and Guatemala and Northern 
South America; it has been recorded from many of the West India Islands. 
The eggs are described as six to ten in number, of dull white or buffy 
white, and the nest is usually built on a marsh but is sometimes deposited on 
floating vegetable matter. 
