BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
21 
between two large roots. They usually nest in hollow trees, but for 
some reason that custom was not followed in this instance. They 
are quite at home in trees, perching and moving from branch to 
branch with the utmost confidence. They have a good deal of 
curiosity, and when driven out from a hiding place seldom fail to 
return high overhead to ascertain the cause of their fright. This duck 
easily takes the lead in point of beauty, as the adult drake is unsur- 
passed in st3'le or coloring. 1 have seen them here in autumn from 
the last of August till the first of November. In spring they may be 
seen any time after the middle of March until late in April. Their 
contains the regulation fare— insects, grass, mollusks, and so 
on — sought by all the river ducks. They are particularly fond of nuts, 
acorns, chestnuts, beechnuts. A stomach I once examined was filled 
with white oak acorns. 
Aythya americana. Redhead. 146. 
The Redhead, first cousin to the noted Canvas-back of epicurean 
fame, is a migrant sometimes taken in autumn. It is a common 
species through the interior, and along the coast of the middle Atlan- 
tic states, but this is somewhat out of its normal range. I have found 
several specimens in local collections. 
Aythya marila. Scaup Duck. 148. 
Blue-bills, as they are locally called, are frequently found at Great 
Bay during the migration periods. Many are shot for market, but 
they do not bring a high price as they are usually of a rank flavor. 
In autumn they appear in October and remain about a month. In 
spring they are here again, for a week or two in April. They subsist 
largely upon mollusks. The only stomach that I have examined I 
took from a specimen killed on Great Bay in October. It contained 
much sand, a little eel-grass and four small gastropods. Scaups 
usually keep well out from shore, v/here they dive for their food with 
much facility. 
Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. 149. 
As to the abundance of this species I am unable to state definitely, 
but it appears to be less common than its larger relative, the Ameri- 
can or " Big Scaup. Gunners do not always distinguish between 
the two species, and I am not sure of their evidence. Mr. Shaw has 
one in his collection, however, which speaks for itself. The food and 
other habits of this species are similar to those of the last, with which 
it is usually associated. 
