RED-HEADED DUCK. 
137 
their change of residence, but still maintained their superio- 
rity over all the water fowl of that region. In the river St 
John, in East Florida, the Editor also saw a few scattered in- 
dividuals of this species ; but they were too shy to be approach- 
ed within gunshot. 
“ The canvass-backs swim very low, especially when fat; and 
when pursued by a boat, they stretch themselves out in lines, 
in the manner of the scaup ducks, so that some of the flock 
are always enabled to reconnoitre the paddler, and give in- 
formation to the rest of his motions. When the look-out 
ducks apprehend danger, the stretching up of their necks is 
the signal, and immediately the whole squadron, facing to the 
wind, rise with a noise which may be heard at the distance of 
half a mile.” 
RED-HEADED DUCK.— ANAS FERINA ?— Plate LXX. Fig. 6. 
Peale's Mmeum, No. 2710. 
FULIGULA FERINE.— Stephens.* 
Steph. Cont. Sh, Zool. p. 193. — Fuligula ferina, JBonap. Synop. p, 392. — North. 
Zool. ii. p. 451. — Nyroca ferina, Flem, Br. Anim. p. 108. — Le Canard miloun, 
Temm. Man. ii. 868. — Pochard, or red-headed widgeon, Mont.. Ornith. Diet. ii. 
and Supp. Bew. Br. Birds, ii. p. 356. — Red-headed widgeon, Selby’s Illust, 
Br. Ornith. ph 63, fig. 1. 
This is a common associate of the canvass-back, frequent- 
ing the same places, and feeding on the stems of the same 
grass, the latter eating only the roots ; its flesh is very little 
inferior, and is often sold in our markets for the canvass-back 
to those unacquainted with the characteristic marks of each. 
Anxious as I am to determine precisely whether this species 
* A well-known duck common to both continents, keeping to the sea or 
large lakes, and only in very severe winters wandering to any extent inland. 
Sometimes seen in the decoys, but very seldom taken, from their expertness in 
diving under the tunnel. — Ed. 
