LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 
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LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 
LITTLE BLACKHEAD. LITTLE BLUEBILL. 
Aythya AFFINIS. 
Char. Similar in coloration to tnarila nearcttca, but in the present 
species the gloss of the head is purple instead of green, and the flanks 
are pencilled with dusky instead of being unmarked. Size smaller, length 
about i6 inches. 
Nest. Sometimes on an island, but usually iu the marshy margin ot a 
stream or pond, hid amid the ranker herbage close to the water ; made 
of grass and weed-stems and lined with down. 
Eggs. 6-9; pale dull buff tinged with olive; 2.25 X 1-60. 
The slight difference between this bird and its larger ally has 
caused such confusion of the two that the distinctive distribution 
and habits of the present species lias not been determined. Both 
are classed with the Sea Ducks, yet both build their nests by in- 
land waters usually, and not on the sea-coast. The nests are gen- 
erally by an inland stream, but Dr. Bell reports finding several on 
Nottingham Island, in Hudson Bay. 
Of the two birds the present is less frequently found on salt 
water even in winter. During the migrations it is uncommon along 
the shores of New England and the Provinces, but it winters 
farther south than does the larger bird, and is more plentiful on 
the streams and creeks running into Chesapeake Bay than at any 
locality to the northward. It is very abundant along the lower 
valley of the Mississippi, and Dr. Coues reported finding it abundant 
on the upper Missouri. 
Audubon considered this species could be approached easily, 
while feeding; but the examples I have met with have been rather 
wary, and though they rose from the water with difficult}^, and 
therefore rarely took wing, they generally managed to swim out 
of the range of mv gun. 
Authors differ as to the origin of the name given to these birds, 
some referring it to their fondness for mollusks, while others think 
the cry is responsible for the name, which sounds like the word 
scaup, delivered by a harsh voice in a screaming tone. The cry is 
exceedingly discordant. 
