220 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
BUFFLE-HEADED DUCK. 
(Clangula albeola. Fuligula albeola). 
This pretty little bird, about the size of a Teal, is common 
in North America, where it is also termed ‘ Buffalo-headed 
Duck,” on account of the disproportionate. size of that organ, 
** Butter-ball,” ‘“‘ Marionette,” or “Spirit Duck”; this last term 
being so applied with reference to the rapid way in which it 
vanishes at the approach of danger. It is occasionally found 
among our winter visitants, having been shot in this country on 
rare occasions, Sir R. P. Gallwey chronicling its arrival in 
Treland on one occasion, in company with several Golden-eyes. 
Andubon states that it is a hardy bird, and may be seen 
swimming among the floating ice on the Ohio, diving in search 
of food. The name of ‘‘ Butter-ball” is descriptive of its 
excessive fatness at certain seasons of the year, although the 
flesh is not very highly esteemed. Latham describes this species 
as nesting in trees near the lakes of Hudson’s Bay about June. 
Its food consists of small shell-fish, shrimps, and aquatic 
insects, and the voice has a weak croaking sound. 
Male.—Head and neck rich greenish-purple ; a white 
band extending from eye to eye round the back of the head; 
back and upper body black; throat, breast, and under parts 
white ; wing white and black; bill short, bluish-lead colour ; 
feet yellowish-red ; eye brown, 
Female.—Brown, with white spot each side of head ; 
under parts white ; bill dusky ; feet bluish ; considerably smaller 
than male. 
Young.—lIn first feathers, resembling female. 
Egg.—Yellowish-white ; “ greenish-grey ” (Seebohm) ; 
seven to nine in number. June. 
