RED-HEADED DUCK. 313 



dabbling the mud along the shores, much in the manner of the Mallard; and 

 on occasionally shooting them there, I have found their stomach crammed 

 with young tadpoles and small water-lizards, as well as blades of the grasses 

 growing around the banks. Nay, on several occasions, I have found pretty 

 large acorns and beech-nuts in their throats, as well as snails, entire or 

 broken, and fragments of the shells of various small unios, together with 

 much gravel. 



In confinement, they do not exhibit that degree of awkwardness attributed 

 to them when on land. It is true that the habitual shortening of the neck 

 detracts from their beauty, so that in this state they cannot be said to pre- 

 sent a graceful appearance; yet their aspect has always been pleasing to my 

 sight. Their notes are rough and coarse, and bear less resemblance to the 

 cries of those species which are peculiar to fresh water than those of any 

 other of their tribe. Their flight is performed in a hurried manner, and 

 they start from the water pell-mell; yet the)^ can continue very long on 

 wing, and the motions of their pinions, especially at night, produce a clear 

 whistling sound. 



The fine pair from which I made the two figures in the plate were given 

 me by my friend Daniel Webster, Esq. of Boston, Massachusetts, whose 

 talents and accomplishments are too well known to require any eulogium 

 from me. 



The flesh of this bird is generally esteemed, insomuch that many persons 

 know no difference between it and that of the Canvass-back Duck, for which 

 it is not unfrequently sold; but I look upon it as far inferior to that of many 

 other Ducks. Individuals of both sexes vary much in size. On comparing 

 American with European skins, I am unable to perceive any difference of 

 colour or proportions indicative of specific distinction. 



Red-headed Duck, Anas Ferina, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 110. 

 Fuligcla Ferina, Bonap. Syn., p. 392. 



Foligula Ferina, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 452. 

 1 Red-headed Dock or Pochard, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 434. 

 ci Red-headed Duck, Fuligula Ferina, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 198. 

 thi 



•n£ale, 20, 33. Female, 21, 32^. 



Breeds throughout the Fur Countries, from which it migrates southward 

 in early autumn. Abundant on the Chesapeake, New York Bay, Ohio, and 

 Mississippi, with their tributaries. None seen westward of the Mississippi. 

 Adult Male. 



Bill as long as the head, deeper than broad at the base, the margins 

 parallel, slightly dilated towards the end, which is rounded, the frontal 

 angles rather narrow and pointed. Upper mandible with the dorsal line at 

 Vol. VI. 43 



