NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 95 



166. STJRF SCOTEB. Oidemia perspieillata (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Coasts and 

 larger inland waters of Northern North America; south to the Carolinas, the Ohio 

 river and Lower California. 



The Surf Duck and the three preceding species are called Coots by the gunners; 

 their habits, appearance and general characteristics being similar. It is peculiarly 

 an American species, and is only an occasional 

 or accidental visitor in Europe. The> plumage of 

 the male of this species is glossy black, no white 

 on the wings, but a triangular white patcE' on 

 the forehead pointing forward. The female is a 

 sooty-brown, below silvery-gray; side of the 

 head much whitish. It breeds in the far north 

 along the coast and in the interior of the fur 

 countries. Audubon found this species to be the 

 least numerous of the ducks inhabiting Labra- 

 dor. He discovered a nest in a fresh-water 



marsh placed among the tall grass and weeds. It was entirely made of withered, 

 rotten weeds, lined with the down of the bird. The nest contained five eggs; they 

 were pale yellowish or cream color, and measured 2.31 by 1.63. The general average 

 is 2.47x1.70; pale buff to creamy-bufC. 



167. RUDDY DTJCK. Erismatura ruUda (Wils.) Greog. Dist.— North America 

 In general, south to Cuba, Guatemala, and Northern South America. 



The Ruddy Duck is an American species, and is found breeding throughout 

 most of its range, but more especially from the northern borders of the United 

 States northward. In spring and fall it is an abundant duck on the large bodies 

 of water, as well as rivers, small streams and ponds. It is exceedingly difficult to 

 kill, being very tenacious of life, and, when wounded, dives with the greatest of ease, 

 remaining under the water for a long time — in fact, no duck excels this one in 

 diving. Mr. Shields writes that the Ruddy Duck breeds quite commonly in the 

 vicinity of Los Angeles, Cala., depositing from five to eleven eggs about the last of 

 May, and fresh eggs may be taken as late as June 25. He says there is positive proof 

 that this duck prefers the abandoned nests of Coots for nesting purposes to those 

 constructed by itself, and cites several instances in which he took eggs of this 

 species from what appeared to be Coots' nests reconstructed. Seven Ruddy Ducks* 

 egga were found in a Coot's nest, from which, a few weeks previous, a set of the 

 Coot's eggs were obtained. The locality usually selected for a breeding place is 

 some deep, sluggish stream, lake or pond, and the nests are always built close to the 

 water's edge; they are composed of reeds, dry rushes and grass. The structure ia 

 often made so that it T/i!l float, similar to a grebe's nest. The male is a hand- 

 some bird; its general color is glossy chestnut, and the lower parts silvery white; 

 the chin and sides of the ^ead are white, the crown and nape glossy black. The 

 female is brown above, finely dotted, and waved with dusky; below paler and duller. 

 From its peculiar stiff tail feathers, I have often heard hunters call it the "Sprig- 

 tail," a name, however, applied to the Pin-tail Duck. It is also called Dipper Duck. 

 The eggs are grayish-white, ovoid or oval in shape, with a finely granulated surface; 

 sizes range from 2.35 to 2.50 long by 1.70 to 1.80 broad. They appear large for the 

 Size of the bird. 



[168.] IIASEED DUCE. Nomonyo) donUnicua (Linn.) Geog. Dist— Tropical 

 America in general, including West Indies, north on the Gulf coast to the Lower 



