198 
BAY AND SEA DUCKS 
Range . — Temperate N. A. Breeds from s. B. C., cen. Sask., n. Ont., 
N. B. and N. S. s. to cen. Calif., s. Tex., Fla. and Cuba; winters chiefly 
in TJ. S., from s. B. C., Kans., Ills., Ind., Pa., and N. J., s. to s. Calif., and 
the Gulf of Mex.; accidental in Bermuda, Mex., Jamaica, and Europe. 
Washington, uncommon P. R. Long Island, rare S. R., May 2-Nov. 
27. Ossining, tolerably common S. R. Cambridge, not common T. V., 
Apl. 1-30; Sept. 15-Oct. 20. N. Ohio, rare S. R., Mch. 20-Oct. 15. Glen 
Ellyn, rare, May records only. SE. Minn., uncommon S. R., Mch. 17- 
Oct. 23. 
Nest, of grasses, leaves, twigs, down, etc., in a hole in a tree or stump. 
Eggs, 8-14, pale buffy white, 2*05 x 1*50. Date, Chester Co., S. C., Mch. 10; 
Black Hawk Co., Iowa, May 4. 
Woodland ponds and forest-bordered streams make a proper setting 
for the grace and beauty of these richly attired birds. I know of no 
sight in the bird world which so fully satisfies the eye as to see them 
in the unconscious enjoyment of their secluded homes. Alarm them, and 
with a frightened, plaintive whistle, “oo-eek,” they spring from the 
water and make off through the woods. At other times they will swim 
ahead of one’s canoe, and, rounding a bend in the stream, go ashore 
and walk rapidly away. 
The Rufous-crested Duck (1 45. Netta rufina) is an Old World species 
which has been taken once in America. The record is based on an immature 
male found in Fulton Market, New York City, which was supposed to have 
been shot on Long Island. (Ridgw., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 25.) 
Subfamily Fuligulince. Bay , Sea, or Diving Ducks. (Fig. 345.) 
The members of this subfamily are to be distinguished from those 
of the preceding by the presence of a lobe or web on the hind-toe. They 
are open-water Ducks, frequenting our large lakes, bays and sea-coasts. 
Their food consists chiefly of mollusks, crustaceans, and the seeds and 
roots of aquatic plants. They obtain it principally by diving, some- 
times descending one hundred and fifty feet or more. According to 
Townsend (“Labrador Spring,” p. 92), the Old Squaw, Scoters and Eiders 
use their wings when diving, while the Redhead, Canvasback, Buffle- 
head, Scaups and Golden-eyes use only their feet. The bill, as in the 
Anatince, acts as a sieve or strainer. As a rule they feed by day and pass 
the night at a distance from the shore or at sea. Some of the species 
occur in our waters in large flocks — -indeed, our most abundant Ducks 
are members of this subfamily. With one exception, they are northern 
breeding birds, seldom nesting south of our northern tier of States. 
Their nest is composed of leaves, grasses, stems of aquatic plants, 
seaweed, etc., lined, with down from the breast of the incubating bird, 
and is variously located. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
I. Feathers at the base of the bill not reaching *50 forward along its sides. 
1. Wing over 7*00. 
A. Axillars and most, if not all, the linings of the wings white. 
a. Head and neck black, with greenish or purplish reflections. 
