328 
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 
as time "oes on. Such are the usual museum specimens. Their exact shape is some¬ 
what indeterminate, since, in the sets before me, many approach the true ellipsoidal 
while others are simply oval in varying degree; some are elongated and quite pointed 
at the smaller ends; others are blunt. It is to be remarked that the peculiarities °- 
size and shape are apt to obtain with but slight variations throughout the whole of a 
set The two smallest eggs before me measure 1.88 X 1.27, and 1.82 X 1.32; and from 
this extreme they run up to 2.10 X 1-37. . „ ,, , . . , , . - 
The cinnamon teal is, in the interior, one of the very first of the ducks to start in fall 
on the southward migration, and, iu the neighborhood of Washoe Lake, nearly all 
have left by the first of September ; while those that breed farther north are not .on" 
iu following.- In California it remains later, and I understand from my friend, Mr. H. 
G. Parker, that more or less winter in the Sacramento Valley. 
Spatula Boie. 
S. clypeata (L.). Shoveller. 
This duck is abundant iu fall and spring in nearly all portions of the West. Never¬ 
theless if it remains to breed, it does so apparently only in rare instances, except along 
our northern border, as in Dakota, where the young were found by Dr. Cones in August. 
It is true that I detected the species at Washoe Lake in June. But upon killing a 
male the cause of its stay so far south was revealed iu the shape of an old wound ; 
probably, too, a greater or less number of barren birds are scattered over the lakes of 
this region. 
. Fuligula Stephens. 
F. marila (L.). Greater Blackhead. 
Numerous only as a migrant and winter visitant. 
F. affinis Eyton. Lesser Blackhead. 
Occurs as the preceding. 
F. colJaris (Donov.). Ring-neck Duck. 
In noticing this species on previous occasions, especially in the report for 1876 
I have given it as breeding in Utah, Nevada, &c. I was led into what I now am 
convinced was a mistake by the incorrect identification of several young birds. I hese 
I now ascertain to have been the young of the redhead (F. americana ), as similar spec¬ 
imens taken the past season of unquestionable identity show. I take this occasion 
therefore to make the correction, and all such references are to be understood as ap- 
nlvino- to the redhead, and to it alone. We have no proof at the present, so tar as I 
am aware, that the ring-neck breeds within our limits, and it doubtless retii es m 
summer to points far beyond our boundaries. During both spring and fall it occurs 
in greater of less numbers according to locality. 
F.ferina americana (Eyton). Redhead. 
Better knowD, perhaps, as a bird of the east coast, the redhead is yet a well-rep¬ 
resented species on the west coast, and also to a somewhat less extent of the western 
interior. It was found breeding, though not in great numbers, about Washoe and 
other lakes in Western Nevada and the contiguous portions of California. Ihis is, ! 
believe, a summer range much farther south than is usually understood to apply to 
this species; although young birds taken at Rush Lake, Southern Utah, by myself, 
affords good evidence of its summer residence at that point. _ 
Its method of nidification is in general much like the other species. One nest found 
bv Mr IT G. Parker was somewhat singularly placed, in that it was built m perfectly 
bare open ground. A hoof-track in the mud, which had subsequently been left high 
and dry by the receding waters, received the nest, composed in this instance entirely 
of feathers and down, there being, in fact, no room in the narrow quarters for other 
accumulations. A second was built close to the water’s edge under protection of a 
little clump of grease-wood bushes. The eggs numbered in these instances respectively 
five aud seven, incubation in neither having begun. . 
I append the measurements of three of the first set, merely remarking that, except 
for their more spherical form and perhaps rather larger size, they would be indis¬ 
tinguishable from the mallard’s: 2.23 X 1.73, 2.21 X 1.73, 2.17 X 1.70. 
Bucephala Baird. 
B. clangula (L.). Common Golden Eye. 
An abundant migrant. 
B. nJbeola (L.). Buffle-head Duck. 
As jireceding species. 
