SEA DUCKS 
101 
partitive plumages of Scaups, but much smaller and with a light cheek patch instead 
of a spot at base of bill. Somewhat suggestive of female Harlequin, but continuously 
white below, with one instead of two face spots, and a white speculum. 
Field Marks. Male with conspicuous white triangle on black head is easily recognized. 
This species though it has a big-headed appearance similar to the Golden-eye is so much 
smaller that confusion can hardly result. Females and juveniles can best be recognized 
by their small size, single face spot, and white underparts and speculum. 
Nesting. In stumps or hollow trees. 
Distribution. North America, breeds in the west throughout the prairies, and in 
British Columbia, north through Mackenzie Valley. 
The name Spirit Duck is given to this little species because of its 
remarkable diving, and ability to disappear when injured. 
“Scattered commonly throughout the west, and in autumn sometimes 
met with in considerable flocks, the Ruffle-head is one of the incidental 
ducks that come to bag without being specially sought. It is a diving 
duck and rarely found upon shallow, muddy ponds. Its flesh is good 
inland, though on the west coast often unfit for food from its habit of 
feeding on dead salmon.” 
Figure 151 
Old-squaw; scale, 
a, male in summer. 
b, male in winter. 
c, female. 
Figure 152 
Tail of Old-squaw (male); 
scale, \. 
154. Old-squaw, cockawee, long-tailed duck, le kakawi (le Canard a 
longue queue). Clcingula hiemalis. L, 21. (Projection of two middle tail feathers beyond 
others 4 *5-5-0.) A medium-sized duck showing a remarkable seasonal change of color- 
ation. The adult male in spring and summer has head (Figure 151a), neck, breast, and 
back dark seal-brown, lower abdomen and flanks white. There is an almost white, mask- 
like patch including the eye and rusty-ochre stripes over the wings and at base of hindneck. 
In winter, the colours change entirely and it becomes a mostly white, instead of a mostly 
dark, bird (Figure 151b). Head and neck white with a light grey face and a large, dark, 
and rusty grey patch over cheeks and ears. White below, with a broad belt of dark seal- 
brown, nearly black, sharply defined against white base of foreneck above and abdomen 
below. Above, white of neck extended almost to shoulders; back black with spray of 
elongated pearl-grey feathers drooping from shoulders over wings. No speculum or wing 
marks. In both seasons the long, central tail feathers (Figure 152) are conspicuous. 
There is a band of orange or pink about the bill. The female is more obscurely coloured. 
Flanks and below white, with a dull breast-band. Above, dark brown with lighter feather 
edges. Head (Figure 151c) with dark brown cap extending down back of neck. Extensive 
brown cheek and ear patch suffusing over throat and down foreneck, leaving face in front 
of the eye greyish, and sides of neck white. There is no speculum, or white of any kind, 
on the wings in either sex or any plumage. 
Distinctions. The male with its long “sprigs” or centre tail feathers can be mis- 
taken only for the Pintail, but its entirely different colour and decidedly chunky build 
make confusion unlikely. 
