150 GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA 



to continue long on the wing" (Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884, 

 II, p. 39) . It travels in V-shaped flocks like geese and flies with great 

 rapidity. A loud whistling or roaring noise is produced by the wings 

 in flight. 



The Redhead is an expert at diving and gains most of its food in 

 this manner. It is naturally a deep water species, rarely found along 

 the margins of ponds or streams ; yet individuals may occasionally be 

 seen dabbling, about in the mud of the shallower pools. This duck 

 is said to subsist largely on vegetable food such as the various kinds 

 of aquatic plants; small moUusks, crustaceans, fish, frogs, and water 

 newts are also taken. "Where available it feeds extensively on wild 

 celery, eating the blades of the plant when the roots are not obtainable. 



As a game duck the Redhead ranks with the Ganvasback. Since 

 it has similar food preferences, there is very little choice between 

 the birds for table use. On the markets Redheads when separately 

 specified, are listed as cheaper than "Cans"; but they are commonly 

 sold under the name of the more desirable bird and then, of course, 

 bring the same price. 



Redheads have been greatly reduced in numbers during the past 

 ten years. H. J. Lelande (MS) says of this duck in southern Cali- 

 fornia: "The Redhead, once fairly common during the breeding 

 season, is now seldom seen at any time of the year." Judging from 

 the progressively smaller numbers sold on the market, as well as from 

 direct observation, we are justified in stating that this duck next to 

 the Wood Duck demands absolute protection to save it from the 

 fate of total extermination. The great decrease in its numbers can 

 be partly accounted for by the ease with which it is killed. It is 

 sometimes called "Fool Duck" by sportsmen because of its fearless- 

 ness or apparent indifference to their approach. As with the Mallard, 

 we have here a resident duck much hunted for the market. The num- 

 ber of migrants coming in during the winter is small and the annual 

 kill has depleted the local breeding stock. Hence the Redhead is 

 rapidly decreasing in numbers, and the critical point as regards its 

 survival has already been reached. 



Canvasback 



Marila valisineria (Wilson) 



Other names — Can; Aythya vallisneria; Nyroca vaUsneria; FuUgula vallis- 

 neria. 



Description — Adult male: Whole head and neck dark reddish chestnut, 

 shading to almost black around base of bill and on top of head; bill black, 

 tinged with green; iris bright carmine; base of neck completely encircled by 

 broad black collar; back and scapulars white, with fine, irregular, dusky bar- 

 rings; rump black; upper tail coverts and tail blackish slate; outer surface 



