24 
RED-HEADED DUCK. 
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 they 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. 
Fuligula Ferina, Bonap. Syn., p. 392. 
Fuligula Ferina, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 452. 
Red-headed Duck or Pochard, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 434. 
Red-headed Duck, Fuligula Ferina , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 198. 
Male, 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 
