SEA DUCKS 
95 
The Bay and Sea Ducks, though more at home on large waters, often 
frequent marshes and shallower waters for feeding or breeding. They are 
excellent divers, in some cases descending even to such depths as to become 
entangled in deeply set fish nets. The family includes some of our finest 
table-birds. 
Economic Status. The direct economic importance of their food habits 
is as a rule even less than that of other ducks. Much said under previous 
subfamily, page 87, is true of these birds. 
146. Redhead, le milouin a t£;te rousse. Nyroca americana. L, 19. Very 
similar in coloration to the Canvas-back, but slightly smaller and lighter in build. 
Distinctions. A little smaller than the Canvas-back 
from which it differs only slightly. Compared with that 
species, the male has a slightly darker back and the red 
of the head does not extend to the shoulders. Females 
are almost identical with female Canvas-back, but 
somewhat darker, and can always be distinguished by 
the shape of the bill. In this species the cubnen has a 
concave instead of a comparatively straight profile (Com- 
pare Figures 140 and 142). The female also bears a 
general resemblance to the female Scaup and Ring- 
necked Ducks, but is larger than either and has no white 
face mark. Large size and general coloration of male, 
when distinguishable, separate it from anything but the 
Canvas-back. 
Field Marks. Large size, and general coloration of male when distinguishable, will 
separate it from anything but the Canvas-back. The outline of the head with crown rising 
abruptly from the base of concave bill (Figure 140) gives a round-headed appearance 
that will distinguish it from the Canvas-back at a considerable distance. The brick-red 
of head stopping in mid-neck instead of continuing to shoulders is a good recognition mark 
at close range. Females are appreciably darker than female Canvas-backs, but probably 
cannot be told from them in life by colour alone under ordinary conditions. They resemble 
Scaups or Ring-necks, but are considerably larger, generally paler, without white face mark 
or white wing stripe. 
Nesting. Nest of reeds lined with down, over water. 
Distribution. Across the continent, most common in the interior, practically absent 
from the west coast. Breeds in the west north to Great Slave Lake. 
The Redhead is so closely associated with the Canvas-back that dis- 
cussion under that species will apply to both. 
150. Ring-necked Duck, ring-billed duck, le morillon a collier. Nyroca 
collaris. L, 16-50. Like a very small Scaup with a black back and in highest plumage 
with a faint reddish or coppery band about the middle 
of neck and a light-coloured band encircling the bill. 
Distinctions. Size and general scaup-like color- 
ation in all plumages. The adult male has a solidly 
black back, a white ring on bill, coppery neck band, 
and grey spe ulum. The neck band is usually some- 
what vague and partly suggested by a greyish or 
brownish one on the Scaups. The female and juvenile 
are very like comparable plumages of the Scaups. 
The grey instead of white speculum is the best dis- 
tinction between them. The white lines or patches at 
base of bill, meeting across chin, will separate Ring- 
necks from most other ducks with grey speculum. 
Autumn females and young males bear close resemb- 
lance to parallel plumages of Redheads, but show no 
trace of white border to the speculum that is more or 
less evident in that species. 
76910—74 
Figure 141 
Ring-necked Duck; scale, \. 
Female Male 
Head outline of Redhead; 
scale, i. 
