Part 12

Range.—Temperate North America, breeding from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

REDHEAD. 146. Marila americana. 19 inches.

This bird, the preceding and the one following are considered as the best table birds of the duck family.

Nest.—Placed on the ground in marshes. Eggs 6 to 14 in number, buffy white in color (2.40 × 1.70).

Range.—North America, breeding from Minnesota northward.

CANVAS-BACK. 147. Marila valisineria. 21 inches.

Differs from the Redhead in the shape of its black bill, its blackish forehead, very light colored back and red eyes, the Redhead having yellow eyes. Like the last species, these birds are excellent swimmers and divers, and secure their food from deeper water than many of the ducks. Their food consists of various fresh water plants and small fish; shell fish and frogs. These usually command the highest market price, and are much sought after by gunners.

Nest.—On the ground in marshes or sloughs, lined with grass and feathers. 6 to 10 eggs of a pale olive (2.40 × 1.70).

Range.—North America; breeding from central British Columbia south to Oregon and Minnesota.

SCAUP DUCK OR BLUE-BILL. 148. Marila marila. 18 inches.

This and the following are widely known as Blue-bills owing to the slaty blue color of that member. Head, neck and breast are black; speculum and under parts white, and eyes yellow.

Nest.—In marshes about many of the ponds in the interior of British Columbia. 6 to 10 eggs pale greenish gray (2.50 × 1.70).

LESSER SCAUP DUCK. 149. Marila affinis. 17 inches.

Slightly smaller than the last, and with the head of the male glossed purple instead of green on the black. They are one of the most abundant migrants, and are one of the most active of the family, diving at the flash of a gun. The immense flocks generally keep out in the open waters of the lakes or rivers; where they feed by diving.

Nest.—Is made of marsh grasses and neatly lined with feathers from the breast of the female. 6 to 9 eggs of a pale gray color (2.25 × 1.55).

RING-NECKED DUCK. 150. Marila collaris. 17 inches.

In appearance and general habits this duck is much the same as the two preceding. Male with head, neck and breast black with purple shades, having a ring of chestnut about the neck, which at a little distance is not noticeable. Bill blackish, with a bluish band near the end; eye yellow.

Nest.—Same in every way as above, and general distribution the same, breeding from Oregon and Minnesota northward.

AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 151. Clangula clangula americana. 20 inches.

These are handsome ducks, known as “Whistlers,” from the noise of their wings when flying, and also “Great-heads,” because of the puffy crest. The head is greenish black with a large round white spot in front of and a little below the eye. The rest of the plumage is black and white.

Nest.—Built in the hollows of trees near the water, lining the cavity with fine grasses, moss or leaves and then lining the nest with feathers, in which they place from 6 to 10 eggs of a grayish color (2.30 × 1.70).

Range.—North America, breeding from Alaska south to the most northern of United States. Winters to southern California and the Gulf Coast.

BARROW GOLDEN-EYE. 152. Clangula islandica. 20 inches.

Head of this species a bluish black, with a crescent white spot between the bill and eye; which is yellow as also is the preceding.

Nest.—The range and nesting habits are the same as above, possibly breeding a little farther south on the Pacific coast.

BUFFLE-HEAD. 153. Charitonetta albeola. 14 inches.

This handsome little duck is also known as “Butter-ball” and “Dipper-duck,” the latter name given to them on account of the ease with which they can disappear under the water. They are always on the alert and will dive at the flash of a gun. Head iridescent blue, green and purple, and with a large white patch extending from eye to eye, across the back of the puffy crest. Their flight is very rapid, and they can take wing from the water easier than the majority of ducks.

Nest.—In holes of tree stumps or in the banks along the sides of rivers, 8 to 14 eggs of a light grayish color (2.00 × 1.40).