70 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
FULIGULA MARILA, Linn .—Scaup Duck. 
Fuligula marila, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 316, pi. 397 .—Nutt. Ora. vol. II, p. 437. 
Atias marila, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 5( 9.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIIT, p. 84, pi. 69, fig. 3 
Abundant on the salt hays, and occasionally penetrates the interior of the country. 
NYROCA VALLISNERIA, Wils .-Canvas-hack Duck. 
Anas vallisneria, Wir.s. Am. Ora. vol. VIII, p. 103, pi. 20, fig. 5. 
Fuligula vallisneria, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 299, pi. 395.— Nutt. Ora. vol. II, p. 430. 
Aythya vallisneria, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 794. 
Not abundant, though occasionally exposed in the market for sale. In 1849 I saw twelve 
dollars paid for a single bird of this kind for the table. 
NYROCA ERYTHROCEPHALA, Bonap .-Red-headed Duck. 
Fuligula ferina, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 311, pi. 397. 
Anas ferina, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p. 110, pi. 70, fig. 6. 
Aythya americana, Baird, Gen. Rep. 793. 
Not abundant, but occasionally breeds in the country. I saw, on the swamps of Sacramento 
valley, several pair in June, and inspection of the female showed the breast to be denuded of 
feathers, as is the case with most of the birds of this family during the period of incubation. 
CLANGULA ALBEOLA, Linn .— Buffel-headed Duck. 
Clangula albeola, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 458. 
Fuligula albeola, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 3C9, pi. 408.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 445. 
Anas albeola, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 517. 
Bucepliala albeola, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 797. 
This beautiful little species is abundant, both inland and on the salt bays of the coast. I 
observed it as far south as the Gila river. , 
OIDEMIA PERSPICILLATA, Linn .—Surf Duck. 
Oidemiaperspicillata, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 449. 
Fuligula perspicillata, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 337, pi. 402. 
Abundant. Found on the whole seaboard of California, in San Francisco bay, and about 
Benicia. The vast shallow flats bordering Suisun and San Pablo bays are among its favorite 
feeding grounds. Living almost exclusively on shell fish, its flesh acquires so rank a flavor 
that gunners seldom waste their shot upon it. I have known it, in consequence, to become so 
fearless as to pass under and about the wharves of San Diego while persons were walking 
overhead. 
ERISMATURA RUBIDA, Wils.—Ruddy Duck. 
Fuligula rubida, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 324, pi. 399.— Nutt. Ora. vol. II, p. 426. 
Anas rubidus, Wils. Am. Ora. vol. VIII, p. 128, pi. 71, figs. 5 and 6. 
Observed both in fresh water and on the large salt bays and lesser indentations occurring on 
the California coast. 
