ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
 New York State Colleges 
 
 OF 
 
 Agriculture and Home Economics 
 
 AT 
 
 Cornell University 
 
 the gift of 
 Paul Pomeroy Ives 2d 
 
 IN MEMORY OF 
 
 Paul Pomeroy Ives 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924087317404 
 
A CHANCE FOR A DOUBLE. 
 
HOW TO KNOW 
 
 ^ ? 
 
 THE 
 
 Ducks, Geese and Swans 
 
 OF 
 
 NORTH AMERICA 
 
 AI-L THE SPECIES BEING GROUPED ACCORDING TO SIZE AND COLOR 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES B. CORY 
 
 Curator of the Department of Ornithology in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago; Fellow of the 
 
 Linncean and Zoological Societies of London; Member of the American Ornithologists' Union, 
 
 and of the British Ornithologists' Union ; Honorary Member of the California 
 
 Academy of Sciences ; Cor. Member New York Academy of Sciences, etc., etc. 
 
 Author of "The Beautiful and Curious Birds of the World," "The Birds of the Bahama 
 
 Islands," "The Birds of Haiti and San Domingo," "The Birds of the West Indies," 
 
 " A Naturalist in the Magdalen Islands," " Hunting and Fishing 
 
 IN Florida," " Key to the Water Birds of Florida," " How to 
 
 know the Shore Birds of North America," etc., etc. 
 
 < ■ • ■» 
 
 FOR SALE BY 
 
 LITTLE, BROWN & CO. 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 1897 
 
&L 
 
 As 
 cn 
 
 E 6167 
 
 Copyrighted, 
 
 (JIIAKI.es B. CORY, 
 
 BOSTON, 
 
 1897. 
 
 ALKKKD MtlDGE & SON, PKINTEBS, 
 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The present work is intended to meet the wants of a large number of persons, 
 especially sportsmen, who are interested in birds and would like to know their names, 
 but often find it no easy task to identify them by the " bird books." To all such I 
 offer this Key, in which the species are arranged in groups according to size, and 
 believe it will enable any one unfamiliar with birds to identify with comparative ease 
 any species of our North American Anatida\ 
 
 Birds vary so much in size that the length of any one specimen cannot be accepted 
 as a standard for others of the same species. The length measure is, nevertheless, 
 of value to enable us to form an approximate idea of the size of the bird. The length 
 of the wing is, however, much less variable, and is an important aid to the identifica- 
 tion of many species. In fact, the variation is so small and constant that, allowing 
 for possible extremes, they may be arranged in groups according to length of wing. 
 The identification of any species then becomes a very simple matter, as usually the 
 birds contained in each group are so few in number that characteristic differences in 
 each species are easily indicated. 
 
 Let us assume, for example, we have before us a bird which we wish to identify. 
 We first measure the wing (see directions for measurements, illustrated, page 7), and 
 we find the wing measures 5.90 inches long. We now tiu'n to the " Index to Key," and 
 find that Group I. contains birds having the wing measuring from 5.50 to 6.50 inches 
 long. Turning to Group I., we find it contains two sections; Section 1 comprising 
 ducks having a hind toe without flap or lobe,* and Section 2 comprising ducks having 
 a flap on the hind toe. As our duck has a flap on its hind toe, it evidently belongs 
 to this section. We find Section 2 divided in two parts ; Part 1 with tail feathers 
 
 * Many of the Anatince or River Ducks have a slightly flattened hind toe approaching a small flap, but it is 
 never large enough to confound them with the Fuliffulince or Sea Ducks, which have a LARGE well developed 
 lobe-like flap on the hind toe. 
 
4 PREFACE. 
 
 not stiff and pointed, and Part 2, tail feathers stiff and pointed. Our duck has stiff, 
 pointed tail feathers, and therefore belongs in Part 2. Part 2 contains two species; 
 one having front of head and cheeks black, the other with sides of head more or less 
 white. As our duck has a patch of white on the side of the head, it must therefore be 
 the Ruddy Duck, Erismatura rubida. 
 
 All measurements of birds are given in inches and fractions of an inch. The 
 diagrams on page 7 will illustrate how a bird should be measured, and the chart (page 
 9) will be useful to the young student of ornithology who may not be familiar with 
 the technical terms used in describing birds. Such terms as primaries and axillars 
 should be learned at once. It is customary to indicate the sexes by the signs of 
 Mars and Venus ; the male, of course, being given that of Mars, $, and the female, 
 Venus, 9. 
 
 In preparing the Key, a large number of birds were examined and measured. In 
 this connection, my thanks are due to Dr. J. A. Allen, of the American Museum of 
 Natural History ; and to Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institute, for the 
 loan of many specimens for examination ; and especially to Mr. William Brewster, 
 for free access to his magnificent collection in Cambridge. 
 
 The illustrations are the work of Mr. Edward Knobel. 
 
 CHARLES B. CORY. 
 
 Boston, Mass., Sept. 1, 1897. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Preface .......... 
 
 Mow TO MEASURE A BiRD . ..... 
 
 (tLOSSAKV ... 
 
 Inde.x to Key .... 
 
 Key to the Ducks, G-eese and Swans of North AMEiircA 
 
 Group 1. Birds having wings from 5 to 6.. 50 inches long 
 
 2. 
 
 4. 
 ."). 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 <S. 
 
 6.. 50 to 7.50 inches long 
 
 7.50 to 8.50 " 
 
 .S.50 to 10 
 
 10 to 12 
 
 12 to 14 
 
 14 to 19 
 
 over 111 
 
 The Mergansers, — Menjinn' 
 
 The Fresh-water Ducks, — Aiialiiw^ 
 
 The Salt— water Ducks, — F(di(jidini<' 
 
 The Geese, — ^iu^criiui' 
 
 The Swans, — Ciit/iuini' 
 
 Index 
 
 PAGK 
 
 3 
 
 (;-7 
 s 
 10 to i;! 
 66 
 15 
 16 
 18 
 21 
 26 
 32 
 33 
 36 
 37 
 41 
 53 
 80 
 01 
 1)3 
 
HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 
 
 Wing. — Distance from carpal joint C (bend of wing) to the tip of the longest pri- 
 mary D. See cut on page 7. 
 
 Length. — Distance in a straight line from the end of the bill to the tip of the longest 
 tail feather. (Occasionally the middle feathers are much elongated, as 
 in the Old Squaw and Pintail Duck, and in other families of birds, such 
 as Phaethon and Stercorarius. In such cases it is well to give the length 
 from bill to longest tail feather, and also to end of outer tail feather.) 
 
 Tail. — Distance from the tip of the longest tail feather to its base (the point where 
 it enters the body). 
 
 Bill. — The distance in a straight line from where the bill (upper mandible) joins the 
 skin of the forehead (A) to the tip (B). (There are a few exceptions to 
 this rule, in other families, such as birds with frontal plate, etc. Some 
 curved bills are measured along the curve of the culmen, and at times 
 it is advisable to measure from the nostril to the tip of the bill, but in 
 such cases it should always be so stated.) 
 
 Tarsus. — Distance in front of the leg from what appears to be the knee joint (end of 
 tibia) to the root of the middle toe. All measurements are given in inches 
 and fractions of an inch. 
 
 Birds vary so much in size that the length of any one specimen cannot be 
 accepted as a standard for others of the same species. The length measure is, nev- 
 ertheless, of value to enable us to form an approximate idea of the size of the bird. 
 The length of the wing is much less variable, and is an important aid to the identifi- 
 cation of certain species. 
 
 (6) 
 
HOW TO MEASURE A BIKD. 
 
 HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 
 
 Length 
 
 Bill 
 
GLOSSARY. 
 
 Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily and clearly 
 understood by examining the accompanying figure than from a written description ; 
 a few, however, may, perhaps, require a word of explanation. 
 
 Mandibles. ■ — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of the bill, and 
 the mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the two halves of the 
 bill as the upper and lower mandible. 
 
 Culmen. — The ridge of the upper mandible. 
 
 Qonys. — Lower outline (middle) of the under mandible. 
 
 Unguis. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced in several 
 families of water birds, — Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels. 
 
 Axillars or Axillary Plumes. — Several elongated feathers at the junction of the 
 wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit.) 
 
 Speculum. — Awing band or patch (usually of a different color from the rest of 
 the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries; very noticeable in 
 the Ducks. 
 
 Tarsus. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what appears to 
 be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the heel joint) .' 
 
 Superciliary Stripe. — Stripe over the eye. 
 
 (8) 
 
INDEX TO KEY, 
 
 Group 1. Birds having wings from 5 to 6.50 inches long 
 
 Section 1. Hind toe, without flap or 
 lobe .... 
 
 Section 2. Hind toe, with well-defined 
 flap or lobe . 
 
 Part 1 . Tail feathers not stiff and 
 pointed 
 
 Part 2. Tail feathers stiff and 
 
 pointed ... .... 
 
 Group 2. Birds having wings from 6.50 to 7.50 inches long 
 
 3 Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth-like serrations 
 
 Section 2. Bill, not narrow ; hind toe, without lobe or flap, 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe, with well-defined lobe or flap ; belly, white . 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe, with well-deflned lobe or flap : belly, not 
 
 white ......•■• 
 
 PAGE 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 15 
 15 
 16 
 
 16 
 
 16 
 17 
 17 
 
INDEX TO KEY. 
 
 11 
 
 Group 3. Birds having wings between 7.50 and 8.50 inches long 18 
 
 Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth-lUce serrations . 18 
 
 Section 2. Bill, not narrow; hind toe, without mem- 
 braneous lobe or flap ; a patch of grayish 
 blue on shoulder (lesser and middle wing 
 coverts) . . . . . . 18 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap ; lesser 
 
 and middle wing coverts, not grayish blue . . 19 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe, with well-deflned membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 head marked with more or less white or 
 brownish white ; belly, white, sometimes tinged 
 with dusky or gray on lower part . . . . 19 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with 
 dusky or gray ; no white or grayish white on 
 
 head 20 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe, with well-deflned membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 belly, not white ...... 20 
 
 Group 4. Birds having wings from 8.50 to 10 inches long 21 
 
 Section 1. Bill narrow, with tooth-like serrations . 21 
 
 Section 2. Bill, not nar- 
 row ; hind toe, without 
 membraneous lobe or 
 flap; belly, white . ''^i^^^:'''^^^^:^ >^ 22 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap ; belly, 
 
 not white ........ 22 
 
12 
 
 INDEX TO KEY. 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe, with well-defined 
 
 membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 belly, white, sometimes 
 
 tinged on lower part with 
 
 dusky or gray ; head, 
 
 marked with more or less 
 
 white or brownish white ..... 23 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with 
 
 dusky or gray ; no white or grayish white on head . 24 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 belly, not white ; head, marked with more or less 
 
 white or grayish white . . . . . . 25 
 
 Section 7. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 belly, not white ; no white on head . . . 26 
 
 Group 5. Birds having wings from 10 to 12 inches long ... 26 
 
 Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth-like serrations . 26 
 
 Section 2. Bill, not narrow ; 
 hind toe, without mem- 
 braneous lobe or flap ; 
 belly, white, sometimes 
 faintlytinged with dusky 
 or gray on lower part . ^ 26 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap ; belly, 
 
 not white •.-..... 27 
 Section 4. Hind toe, with well-defined 
 
 membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 head, with more or less 
 
 white or grayish white ; 
 
 belly, black . . ^^^^5*^ " 28 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe, with well-deflned membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 no white on head ; belly, black ... 29 
 
INDEX TO KEY. 
 
 13 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 head marked with more or less white or grayish 
 white ; belly, mottled brown or grayish brown or 
 slaty . . . . 
 
 Section 7. Hind toe, with well-defined membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 no white on head ; belly, mottled brown or grayish 
 brown ..... 
 
 Group 6. Birds having wings from 12 to 14 inches long 
 
 Section 1. Head, not black or marked with black 
 
 Section 2. Head marked with more or less black, or entirely 
 
 black ...... 
 
 Group 7. Birds having wings from 14 to 19 inches long 
 
 Section 1. Head and neck, black or blackish, usually marked 
 
 with more or less white ..... 
 
 Section 2. Head, white, sometimes tinged with brownish orange, 
 Section 3. Head, brownish or grayish, sometimes marked with 
 
 white ......... 
 
 Group 8. Birds having wings over 19 inches long 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 32 
 32 
 
 32 
 33 
 
 33 
 34 
 
 35 
 36 
 
KEY TO THE SPECIES. 
 
 GROUP I. 
 
 Birds having wings from 5 to 6.50 inches long.^ 
 Section I. Hind toe without flap or lobe. 
 
 Head and neck, chestnut, a patch of green behind 
 the eye; speculum, black (male) ; head and neck, 
 not chestnut (female) . 
 
 Green-winged Teal. 
 
 Anas caroUnensis. 
 See page 47. 
 
 Anas caroliucnsis. 
 
 Section 2. Hind toe with well defined membraneous 
 
 lobe or flap. 
 
 Part 1. Tail feathers, not stiff and pointed. 
 
 Head, greenish purple, with white patch ^^male) ; 
 head, grayish brown with white patch (female or 
 immature); no dark stripes on cheek ; blUlessthan 
 three fourths inch wide. Buffle-head Duck. 
 
 Dipper Duck. 
 Charitonetta albeola. 
 Chai-itonetta albeola. See page 61. 
 
 Part 2. Tail feathers, stiff and pointed. 
 
 Throat, whitish; cheeks, white or whitish; bill, broad, X ™cli or more wide. 
 
 Ruddy Duck. 
 Erismatura rubida. 
 See page 78. 
 Front of head, including cheeks, black (adult) ; head with black stripes on side 
 (female or immature) . Hasked Duck. 
 
 Nomonyx dominicus. 
 See page 79. 
 
 * directions for wing measurement given on page 6. 
 
16 
 
 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEUKJA. 
 
 GROUP II. 
 
 Birds having wings from 6.50 to 7.50 inches long. 
 
 Section 1. Bill narrow with tooth=like serrations; 
 crown with more or less of a crest. 
 
 Crest, partly white (male) ; no white on crest 
 (female) . 
 
 Hooded Merganser. 
 
 Lophodytes cucuUatus. 
 See page 39. 
 
 liOphodytes cucnllatus (male) . 
 
 Section 2. Bill not narrow ; hind toe without flap or lobe. 
 
 1 Large patch pale blue on wing (coverts) ; 
 ■white crescent on face (male) ; no white 
 crescent, face speckled; chin whitish (fe- 
 male) . Common in Eastern United States. 
 
 Blue-winged Teal. 
 
 Anas discors. 
 
 See page 48. 
 
 Large patch of pale blue on wing (coverts); head and hreast, rufous brown; 
 crown, blackish (male) ; sides of head, speckled (dull white dotted with 
 black); chin and throat, dusky, tinted with rufous (female). Western 
 species rare east of the Mississippi Kiver. 
 
 Cinnamon Teal. 
 
 Anas cyanoptera. 
 
 See page 49. 
 
 No blue patch on wing; head, rufous brown with large patch of green 
 through eye to nape ; speculum, black and green (male) ; head, speckled. 
 No blue patch on wing (female). 
 
 Green-winged Teal. 
 
 Anas caroUnensis. 
 See page 47. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOETH AMERICA. 17 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 
 or flap; belly, white. 
 
 Head, greenish purple, no white on head; hacli, 
 barred black and white ; speculum, white. 
 
 Lesser Scaup Duck, Blue-bill. 
 
 Aythya affinis {male). 
 See page 57. 
 
 Aythya affinis. 
 
 Head, brownish ; a patch of dull white at base of bill ; no white on ear coverts ; 
 speculum, white. 
 
 Lesser Scaup Duck, Blue-bill. 
 
 Aythya affinis (female). 
 See page 57. 
 
 Head, greenish purple; no white on head; back, dull black; speculum, gray. 
 
 Ring-neck Duck. 
 
 Aythya collaris (male). 
 See page 58. 
 
 Head, dull brown; brownish white at base of bill and below eye; speculum, 
 gray. 
 
 Ring-neck Duck, 
 Aythya collaris (female). 
 See page 58. 
 Head, greenish purple ; a large patch of white on back of head. 
 
 Buffle Headed Duck. 
 Charitonetta albeola (male). 
 See page 61. 
 Head, dark brown or dusky, a patch of white behind the eye (on ear coverts) ; 
 no white or brownish white at base of bill; speculum, white. 
 
 Buffle Headed Duck. 
 Charitonetta albeola (female). 
 See page 61. 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap; belly, not white. 
 
 Plumage variously marked with white, slate color and chestnut. 
 
 Harlequin Duck. 
 Histrionicus histrionicus (male). 
 See page 66. 
 General plumage dull brown, mottled on the under parts. 
 
 Harlequin Duck. 
 Histrionicus histrionicus '' female). 
 See page 66. 
 
18 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA 
 
 Head, mostly white, greenish on lores and occiput. 
 
 Head, light brown; belly, clear, sooty brown. 
 
 Stellers' Duck. 
 
 Eniconetta stelleri (male). 
 See page 73. 
 
 Stellers' Duck. 
 
 Eniconetta stelleri {female). 
 See page 73. 
 
 GROUP III. 
 Birds having wings from 7.5O to 8.50 inches long. 
 
 Section I. Bill narrow with tooth=like serrations. 
 
 Head, brownish or grayish, tarsus less than 1.50; crest 
 small (female and immature). 
 •-J5, Hooded Merganser. 
 
 Lophodytes cucullatus. 
 LophodyteB cucullatus. See page 39. 
 
 Head with black and white crest; tarsus, less than 1.50 (male). 
 
 Hooded rXerganser. 
 
 Lophodytes cucullatus. 
 See page 39. 
 
 Section 2. Bill not narrow, hind toe without menibrane= 
 ous lobe or flap ; a patch of pale blue on shoulder. 
 
 A patch of blue on wing (coverts; ; a white cres- 
 cent on face ; speculum, green. 
 
 Blue=winged Teal. 
 
 Anas discors (male) . 
 See page 48. 
 
 Anas discors. 
 No white crescent on face ; head, speckled ; chin, whitish ; speculum, green. 
 
 Blue^winged Teal. 
 
 Anas discors ( female). 
 See page 48. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 19 
 
 Head and neck, rufous brown ; crown, blackish ; speculum, green. Western 
 
 species, rare east of the Mississippi Eiver. 
 
 Cinnamon Teal. 
 
 Anas cyanoptera (male) . 
 
 See page 49. 
 
 Head, not rufous; sides of head, speckled ; chin and throat, dusky, tinged 
 with rufous ; belly, witli distinct spots ; speculum, green. Western species 
 rare east of the Mississippi Kiver. 
 
 Cinnamon Teal. ' 
 
 Anas cyanoptera (female). 
 See page 49. 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe without membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 
 no blue on wing. 
 
 Head, yellowish brown with black lines on nape ; no 
 green speculum ; rump and tail, black ; belly, tawny 
 
 brown. 
 
 Fulvous Tree-Duck. 
 
 Dendrocygna fulva. 
 See page 90. 
 
 Dendrocygna fulva. 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; head marked with more or less white or brown= 
 ish white ; belly, white, sometimes tinged with dusky or 
 gray on lower part. 
 
 Head, brownish ; a patch of dull white on face at 
 base of bill; speculum, white. 
 
 Oreater Scaup Duck, Blue Bill. 
 
 Aythya marila nearctica (female). 
 See page 56. 
 
 Aythya marila nearctica. 
 
 Speculum, white, similar to preceding but somewhat smaller. More common 
 in the South than the Greater Scaup Duck. Lesser Scaup Duck. 
 
 Aythya affinis (female) . 
 See page 57. 
 
 Speculum, gray ; head and neck, brownish; chin and anterior portion of lores, 
 brownish white or whitish ; resembles female ; Ked-head, but is smaller. 
 
 Ring-necked Duck. 
 
 Aythya collaris (female) . 
 See page 58. 
 
20 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEEICA. 
 
 A patch of white or grayish white on the head, including the eye ; no specu- 
 lum ; under tail coverts, white ; adult males have the tail feathers long and 
 pointed. 
 
 Old Squaw. Long-tailed Duck. 
 
 Olangula hyemalis. 
 
 See page 64. 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap; belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part 
 with dusky or gray ; no white or grayish white on head. 
 
 Head, brown. 
 
 Glaucionetta clangula americana (female). 
 See page 59. 
 
 Glaucionetta clangula 
 americana. 
 
 Head, black, glossed with green ; speculum, white ; back, grayish white 
 finely lined with black. 
 
 Oreater Scaup Duck. 
 Blue-bill or Black Head. 
 
 Aythya marila nearctica (male). 
 See page 56. 
 
 Head, black, glossed with purple, finely lined with black ; speculum, white ; 
 
 back, grayish white, smaller than the preceding species, but resembles it closely. 
 
 Lesser Scaup Duck. 
 Blue-bill or Black-head. 
 
 Aythya affinis (male) . 
 See page 57. 
 
 Head, black, with violet or bluish gloss, a spot of white on the chin; specu- 
 lum, gray ; back, dull black. 
 
 Ring-necked Duck. 
 
 Aythya collaris (male) . 
 See page 58. 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap; belly, not white. 
 
 Plumage, variously marked with white, slate-color and chestnut; speculum, 
 bluish ; top of head and wing coverts, not white. 
 
 Harlequin Duck. 
 
 Histrionicus histrionicus (male) . 
 See page 66. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 21 
 
 Top of head and wing coverts, not white ; plumage, dull brown, mottled on the 
 underparts. 
 
 Harlequin Duck. 
 
 Histrionicus histrionicus (female) . 
 See page 66. 
 
 Top of head, white ; wing coverts, white ; rump, bluish black. 
 
 Stellers' Duck. 
 
 Eniconelta stelleri. 
 See page 73. 
 
 GROUP IV. 
 
 Birds having wings from 8.50 to 10 inches long.* 
 Section I. Bill narrow, with tooth=Iike serrations. 
 
 Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less than 
 1 .50 ; liead and neck, greenish black ; under- 
 parts, creamy white, tinged with salmon color; 
 feet, red. 
 
 American merganser. 
 Sheldrake. 
 
 Merganser americana (niale) . 
 See page 37. 
 
 Merganser americana. 
 
 Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less than 1.50 ; head, rufous brown ; upper 
 throat, white ; feet, orange red. American flerganser. 
 
 sheldrake. 
 
 Merganser americana (female). 
 See page 37. 
 
 / Distauce from nostril to tip of bill, more than 1 .50 ; 
 
 -^ head, black tinged with green ; breast, rufous 
 
 streaked with black. Red^breasted Merganser. 
 
 Merganser serrator (male). 
 
 See page 38. 
 Merganser seiTator. ^ " 
 
 Distance from nostril to tip of bill, more than 1.50 ; head, brownish, palest 
 
 on the throat; speculum, white. Red-breasted Herganser. 
 
 Merganser serrator (female). 
 See page 38. 
 
 * For directions for measurements, see page 6. 
 
22 
 
 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESK AND SWANS OF XOKTH AMERICA. 
 
 Section 2. Bill not narrow ; hind toe without mem= 
 braneous lobe or flap ; belly, white. 
 
 Head, green, purple, black iiad white; chin and 
 upper throat, white ; feet, j'ellow in life. 
 
 Wood Duck. 
 Summer Duck. 
 
 Aix sponsa (male) . 
 See page 52. 
 
 Head, grayish brown with white stripe through 
 the eye; cliia and upper throat, white; feet, 3'el- 
 low iu life. 
 
 Wood Duck. 
 Summer Duck. 
 Aix sponsa {fi'mnle). 
 See page 52. 
 Aix spunsa. 
 Head, brown ; ehin, not white; a white stripe on sides of the neck; tail, pointed. 
 
 Pintail Duck. 
 Daflla acuta (malf) . 
 See page 51. 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe without membraneous lobe or flap; 
 
 belly, not white. 
 
 Bill, more than one inch wide near tip; Head, 
 green or greenish ; speculum, metallic 
 green; axillars, white; feet, orange red in 
 life. 
 
 Shoveller Duck. 
 Broad-bill. 
 Spatula clypeata {male 
 See page 50. 
 
 8i>atul:i cljiicatii. 
 Bill, more than one iui-h wide near tip; head, narrowly streaked and speckled 
 with brown ami dull white; speculum, metallic green; feet, orange red in 
 life; axillars, white. Shoveller Duck. 
 
 Broad-bill. 
 
 Spatula dypeata (female). 
 See page 50. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, (iJCESE A.N'I) SWANS OF XOKTH AMEltlCA. 23 
 
 IJill. less tliau one inch «idc near ti]); head, lined ami speckled with brown 
 
 and l>i-u\vnisli white; speeuhmi. tial riiftalUc ijivfii ; axillars, white, barred 
 
 with brown ; runi|i and tail eovevts, brown, 
 naia'ouly edj^ed and handed with white; feet, 
 dusk) . Pintail Duck. 
 
 Diilihi acuta ifi'mah'). 
 
 Axillars. c . -i 
 
 Isee iia"e .t1. 
 llalilM ai-ut;i. ' ■ 
 
 Head, yellowish brown with black or brown line on naiji'; no white speculum 
 
 or white onwiiin'; rump and tail, black; belly, tawny brown; lower belh-. 
 
 not black; axillars, smoky black. Fulvous Tree Duck. 
 
 Drii'lroi'ijijiia fiilfa. 
 See page '.)0. 
 
 Head, rufus brown, with black line on nape; more or less whiii' on wing: 
 si)eculum, whitish; Ijreast, brown: lower belly, black; axillars, black. 
 
 Black-bellied Tree Duck. 
 
 Drudi'iirtj'jna a iii n uDialh. 
 Sei> iiage S!l. 
 
 Hidly, white, with more or less brown spots; axillars, white; hill, less than 
 .1)0 wide at widest part. Gadwall. 
 
 .\nas stri'i'cra ( female). 
 See page 44. 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap; belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part 
 with dusky or gray ; head marked with more or less 
 white or brownish white. 
 
 Head, brownish ; a (latcli of dull white on face at Ijase 
 of liill ; speculum, white. 
 
 Greater Scaup Duck. 
 Blue-bill, Black-head. 
 
 Aijthijd iiinrihi iieniTtica (female/. 
 See page .tO. 
 
 .\ytii};! niarila iiearctica. 
 
 Head and neck, dark glossy green ; a nearly round iiateh of wliite on check at 
 base of liill ; liack, black; sji.-.adum, white. American Qolden Eye. 
 
 Whistler. 
 
 (ilaucioia.'ltn rlamjala arjien'cana (m,ale). 
 See page 59. 
 
 Head, bluish black, or purplish blue; an irregular white patcli on cheek at base 
 of bill. Barrow's Golden Eye. 
 
 GlcmeioneUa islandica (male). 
 See page GO. 
 
24 
 
 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Top of head, brown ; sides of head, brownish white ; speculum, gray ; bill, 
 more than one and a quarter inches long. 
 
 Red-head Duclc. 
 
 Aythya americana (female) . 
 See page 53. 
 
 Bill, not over 1.25 long; a patch of white or grayish white, on the head, 
 
 including the eye ; no speculum ; under tail covert, white ; adult males have 
 the tail feathers long and pointed. 
 
 Old Squaw. 
 
 Long=tailed Duck. 
 
 Olangula hyemalis. 
 See page 64. 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe or 
 flap ; belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with 
 dusky or gray; no white or grayish white on head. 
 
 Aythya niarila nearotica. 
 
 Head, black, glossed with green ; back, gi-ayish 
 white, finely lined with black; speculum, white. 
 
 Greater Scaup Duck. 
 Blue°bill, Black-head. 
 
 Aythya mania nearotica {male) . 
 See page 56. 
 
 Head, cinnamon brown ; upper breast and back, ashy gray, not barred ; specu- 
 lum, white. Very similar to female Barrow's Golden Eye, but slightly 
 smaller, much more common than the next species on the Atlantic coast. 
 
 American Qolden Eye. 
 Whistler. 
 
 Qlauoionetta olangula americana (female) . 
 See page 59. 
 
 Head, cinnamon brown; upper breast and back, ashy gray not barred; specu- 
 lum, white, very similar to preceding species, but slightly larger. 
 
 Barrow's Golden Eye. 
 
 Qlauoionetta islandica (female). 
 See page 60. 
 
 Head, rufous brown; crown, blackish; breast, 
 
 black; lower back, ashy white, finely lined with 
 
 black; bill very different from that of Eed-head. 
 
 See cut. 
 
 Canvas-back Duck. 
 
 Aythya vallisneria (male) . 
 
 . ,, ,,. . See page 54. 
 
 Aythya yallisuena. ^ ° 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 25 
 
 Head, neck, and upper breast, dull cinnamon brown, palest on throat; lower 
 back, dull browu, barred with flue, wavy, white lines ; easily distinguished by 
 shape of bill. See cut. 
 
 Canvas-back Duck. 
 
 Aythya vallisneria {female) . 
 See page 54. 
 
 Head, reddish brown; crown, not blackish; breast, 
 bliick; lower back, grayish, finely lined with black; 
 bill very different from that of Canvas-back. See 
 cut. 
 
 Red-headed Duck. 
 Aythya americana (male) . 
 See page 53. 
 Aythya americana.' 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; belly, not white ; more or less white or grayish 
 white on head. 
 
 General plumage, black ; a patch of white on front 
 of crown and nape ; bill, large, marked with orange, 
 red, black, and white; no white on wings. 
 
 Surf Scoter. 
 Skunk Head Coot. 
 Oidemia perspicillata (male). 
 See page 77. 
 
 General plumage, brown ; top of head and wings, dark ; a spot of dull white at 
 base of bill and behind eye ; no white on wings. 
 
 Surf Scoter. 
 Skunk-head Coot. 
 
 Oidemia perspicillata (female). 
 See page 77. 
 
 Top and sides of head, white ; • patch of greenish in front of eye ; throat, black ; 
 all wing coverts, white. 
 
 Stellers' Diick. 
 Stellers' Eider. 
 
 Enic.onetta stelleri (male) . 
 See page 73. 
 
 A large, silvery white patch enclosing the eye, narrowly bordered with black ; rest 
 of head, pale olive or grayish olive ; throat, white. 
 
 Spectacled Eider. 
 
 Arctonetta fisheri (mrde). 
 See page 72. 
 
26 
 
 KEir TO ddOks, gEese and swaNs or isroETa America. 
 
 Section 7. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; belly, not white ; no white on head. 
 
 Under parts, pale brown, faintly and irregularly 
 barred with darker brown ; axillars, ashy white, 
 the shafts often faintly tinged with brownish. 
 
 Spectacled Eider. 
 
 Arctunetta fisheri {female) . 
 See page 72. 
 
 GROUP V. 
 Birds having wings from 10 to 12 inches long.* 
 Section 1. Bill, narrow, with tooth=like serrations. 
 
 Side of bill. 
 
 Top of bill. 
 Merganser americana. 
 
 Head and neck, greenish black ; under parts, cream 
 white, tinged with salmon color ; feet, red. 
 
 American merganser. 
 Slieldrake. 
 
 Merganser americana (male). 
 See page 37. 
 
 Head, rufous brown; upper throat, white; feet, 
 orange red. American merganser. 
 
 Sheldrake. 
 
 Merganser americana {female) . 
 See page 37. 
 
 Section 2. Bill, not narrow ; hind toe, without membrane- 
 ous lobe or flap ; belly, white, sometimes faintly tinged 
 with dusky or gray on lower part. 
 
 Axillars, white ; the shafts, white ; exposed specu- 
 lum, black and white; head, tawny brown; 
 cheeks and throat, tawny, speckled with 
 brown. 
 
 Qadwall. 
 Creek Duck. 
 Anas strepera (male). 
 See page 44. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 * For directions, etc., sec page 6. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AXT) SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 27 
 
 Axillars, white; the shafts, white; head, 
 speckled ; exposed speculum, black niul white. 
 
 Gadwall. 
 Creek Duck. 
 
 Anns strepera (^female) . 
 See page 44. 
 
 Axillars, white, with dark shafts; speculum, green and black; white patch 
 <iii shoulder; top of head, white. American widgeon. 
 
 Baldpate. 
 
 Anas americana (male). 
 See page 4.5. 
 
 Axillars, white with dark shafts; no white shoulder patch: head, speckled. 
 
 American Widgeon. 
 Baldpate. 
 
 Anas americana (female). 
 See page 4.5. 
 
 Axillars, grayish white; head, brown, not speckled; stripe of white on sides 
 (d' ueck ; tail pointed; middle feathers long. Pintail Duck. 
 
 Dnfila acuta {male). 
 See page 51. 
 
 Section 3. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap ; 
 I '•} belly, not white. 
 
 Speculum, bluish purple edged with white; 
 head, green; a white ring around neck; breast, 
 chestnut; belly, grayish white ; feet, orange red; 
 
 axillars, white. 
 
 Mallard Duck. 
 
 Anas hosehas (male) . 
 See page 41. 
 
 Anas liu.^rhas. " 
 
 B<dly, white, showing more or less brown spots; axillars, white; bill, less than .!)() wide at 
 widest part; speculum, black and white. 
 
 Gadwall. 
 
 ^Vnas strepera (female). 
 See page 44. 
 
 ■ "-* ' " -■ ^^ ■ 
 
 Speculum, bluish purple, edged with 
 white and black; head, tawny 
 brown, streaked with dark brown ; 
 
 belly, pale bull', mottled with brown ; 
 feet, orange red; axillars, white. 
 
 Mallard Duck, 
 
 Anas hosehas {female). 
 See page 41. 
 Anas boschas. 
 
28 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOETH AMERICA. 
 
 Speculum, purplish blue, not edged with white; head and throat, streaked; throat, 
 not buif, no black spot at base ol bill ; feet, olive (sometimes red) ; axillars, 
 white. Eastern IS'orth America. 
 
 Black Duck. 
 
 Dusky Duck. 
 
 Anas obscura. 
 
 See page 42. 
 
 Speculum, purplish blue, not edged with white; head, pale brown; upper 
 throat, buff, not streaked ; bill, yellowish olive; nail of bill and spot at base, 
 black; feet, pale orange red; axillars, white. Florida species occasionally ob- 
 served on Gulf coast to Louisiana. 
 
 Florida Black Duck. 
 Florida Dusky Duck. 
 Anas fulvigula. 
 
 See page 43. 
 
 Speculum, purplish blue, not edged with white ; Texas species ranging from 
 Texas north to Kansas. 
 
 nottled Black Duck. 
 
 Anas fulvigula maculosa. 
 See page 43. 
 
 Section 4. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; head with more or less white or grayish white ; 
 belly, black. 
 
 General plumage, black ; speculum, white ; spot un- 
 der eye, white ; axillars, black ; bill, orange at base. 
 
 White-winged Scoter. 
 White-winged Coot. 
 
 Oidemia deglandi (male). 
 See page 75. 
 
 Oidemia deglandi. 
 
 General plumage, black ; head, black, with patch of white on crown and nape; 
 no white on wing ; axillars, black; bill, orange, black, and white. 
 
 Surf Scoter. 
 Skunk-head Coot'. 
 
 Oidemia perspicillata (male). 
 See page 77. 
 
 Top of head, black, divided on crown ; more or less green on head ; throat, 
 
 white; axillars, white; bill, culmen, divided and rounded at base. (See cut of 
 
 bill.) 
 
 American Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria dresseri (male). 
 See page 69. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 I'D 
 
 Dref^ner's Eider Duck. 
 Somateriii dresseri. 
 
 Northern Eider Duck. 
 Somateria Ijorealis. 
 
 Top of head, black, divitU'.d on crown; more or less green ou head; throat, 
 white; axillurs, white ; cuhneii, divideil and pointed at liase. (See cnt of l)ill.) 
 
 Greenland Eider Duck. 
 
 iSoiiintfria horenlis (male) . 
 See page G8. 
 
 Top of head, black, divided on crown ; more or less green on head ; tliroat, white, 
 with black, V-shaped mark. I'aeitic species does not occur ou Atlantic coast. 
 
 Pacific Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria r-ni(ira (male). 
 See page 70. 
 
 Top of head, slate color; cheeks, greeuisli; throat, white, with large, black, 
 V=shaped mark. 
 
 King Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria upeetahilin (male). 
 See page 71. 
 
 Section 5. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; no white on head ; belly, black. 
 
 General plumage, black; axiUars, black; no white on 
 wing; bill, orange at liase: feathers on bill, more than 
 one-half inch from nostril. 
 
 American Scoter. 
 Black Coot. 
 Butter-bill Coot. 
 Oidemia americana (male). 
 See page 74. 
 
30 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Section 6. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; head marked with more or less white, or 
 grayish white ; belly, mottled brown, or grayish brown, 
 or slaty. 
 
 General plumage, brownish ; no white on wiug ; 
 feathers on bill, more than one=half inch from 
 nostril (female and immature) . 
 
 American Scoter. 
 Butter-bill Coot. 
 Oidemia americana (female). 
 Oidemia americana. ®^® P^S^ 74. 
 
 General plumage, grayish brown ; speculum, white ; feathers on bill, less 
 than one-half inch from nostril (female and immature). 
 
 White-winged Scoter. 
 White-winged Coot. 
 
 Oidemia deglandi (female). 
 See page 75. 
 
 General plumage, grayish brown ; feathers extending on upper part of bill more 
 than on the sides; no white on wing; feathers on bill, less than one-half inch 
 from nostril. 
 
 Surf Scoter. 
 Skunk-head Coot. 
 Oidemia perspicillata (female). 
 See page 77. 
 
 A large spectacle-like, silvery white patch enclosing the eye, narrowly bordered 
 with black. 
 
 Spectacle Eider. 
 
 Arctonetta fisheri {male). 
 See page 72. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 31 
 
 Section 7. Hind toe with well defined membraneous lobe 
 or flap ; no white on head ; belly, mottled brown or 
 grayish brown. 
 
 Qeneral plumage, brownish ; no white on wings ; 
 axillars, black; feathers on the bill, more than 
 one=half inch from nostril. 
 
 American Scoter. 
 Butter-bill Coot. 
 Gray Coot. 
 
 Oidemia americana (female). 
 See page 74. 
 
 Head, dark brown or black; feathers on bill, less than one-half inch from 
 nostril ; axillars, black ; no white on wings (immature male). 
 
 Surf Scoter. 
 Skunk=hea^ Coot. 
 
 Oidemia perspicillata (young male). 
 See page 77. 
 
 Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white or grayish white ; throat, 
 streaked; feathers on bill, within one=fourth inch from nostril; decided 
 difference in bill from next species. (See cut.) Eastern North America. 
 
 American Eider Duck. 
 
 Snmateria dresseri (female) . 
 See page 69. 
 
 Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white or grayish white; throat, 
 streaked ; feathei-s on bill within one-fourth inch from nostril ; decided dif= 
 
 ference in bill from preceding species. (See cut.) Eastern North America. 
 
 Greenland Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria borealis {female) . 
 See page 68. 
 
 Resembles the preceding species, but occurs in Western North America, Pacific 
 coast, and Great Slave Lake regions ; does not occur in Eastern North America. 
 (See cut of bill.) 
 
 Pacific Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria V-nigra (female). 
 See page 70. 
 
 Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white or grayish white ; throat, 
 not streaked; feathers on bill more than one-fourth inch from nostril. 
 
 King Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria spectnbilis (female). 
 See page 71. 
 
32 KEY TO DUCKS, OEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 GROUP VI. 
 
 Birds having wings from 12 to 14 inclies long.* 
 
 Section 1. Head not black or marked with black. 
 
 Head, dark, glossy green; white ring around neck ; speculum, bluish purple, 
 edged with black and white. 
 
 nallard Duck. 
 
 Anas boschas (male) . 
 See page 41. 
 
 Head, brownish ; general plumage, mottled brown ; speculum, bluish purple 
 edged with black and white. 
 
 nallard Duck. 
 
 Anas Boschas (female) . 
 See page 41. 
 
 Head, brownish ; general plumage, brown, streaked with buff and dark brown; 
 speculum, bluish purple not edged with white. 
 
 Black Duck. 
 Dusky Duck. 
 
 Anas obscura. 
 See page 42. 
 
 General plumage, white; head, white, sometimes tinged with brownish orange 
 (adult). General plumage, grayish (immature). 
 
 Ross's Snow Goose. 
 
 Chen rossii. 
 
 See page 82. 
 
 Section 2. Head marked with more or less black, or 
 
 entirely black. 
 
 Head, black, divided on crown ; more or less pale green on head ; throat, white, 
 marked with black V ; no speculum. Pacific coast. 
 
 Pacific Eider Duck. 
 
 Somateria V-nigra (male). 
 See page 70. 
 
 For directioDB for wing measurements, see page 6. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 33 
 
 Head and neck, black ; sides of neck (not front) , mottled with white ; no 
 speculum ; lower breast, grayish ; no white on head. 
 
 Brant. 
 
 Branta bernicla. 
 See page 86. 
 
 Head and neck, black ; front and sides of neck, mottled with white ; no 
 speculum ; lower breast, dark, not pale gray ; no white on head. 
 
 Black Brant. 
 
 Branta nigricans. 
 See page 87. 
 
 A patch of white on side of head, extending to throat, rest of head and neck, 
 black. Western United States, rarely to ^V^sconsin. 
 
 Cackling Qoose. 
 
 Bernicla canadensis minima. 
 See page 85. 
 
 GROUP VII. 
 Birds having wings from 14 to 19 inches long. 
 
 Section 1. Head and neclc, black or blaclcish, marked with 
 
 more or less white. 
 
 Head and neck, black ; a patch of white on each cheek, extending to upper 
 throat ; no white on neck. 
 
 Canada Qoose. 
 
 Branta canadensis and races. 
 See page 85. 
 
 Head and neck, black; side {not front), of neck, speckled with white; upper 
 belly, whitish. 
 
 Brant. 
 
 Branta bernicla. 
 See page 86. 
 
 Head and neck, black ; side and front of neck, speckled with white ; upper 
 belly, grayish brown. 
 
 Black Brant. 
 
 Branta nigricans. 
 See page 87. 
 
34 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 Face and upper breast, white ; lores, black ; back of head, black. 
 
 Barnicle Goose. 
 
 Branta leucopsis. 
 See page 85. 
 
 Section 2. Head, white, sometimes tinged with brownish 
 
 orange. 
 
 Entire plumage, white ; primaries, black. Chiefly Pacific coast to Mississippi 
 Valley, rare on Atlantic coast. Smaller than C. h. nivatis. Bill, over 1.90; 
 tarsus, over 2.80; middle toe, over 2.10. 
 
 Lesser Snow Goose (adult). 
 
 Chen kyperborea. 
 
 See page 80. 
 
 Entire plumage, white ; primaries, black ; resembles preceding species but is 
 larger (adult). Eastern North America, south in winter on Atlantic coast to 
 Florida and Cuba. 
 
 Greater Snow Goose. 
 
 Ohen hyperborea nivatis. 
 See page 81. 
 
 Similar to Lesser Snow Goose, but smaller. Bill, 1.50 to 1.75; tarsus, 2.25 to 3; 
 middle toe, 1.80 to 2.05; base of upper mandible often corrugated (adult). 
 Pacific coast east to Montana ; does not occur on Atlantic coast. 
 
 Ross's Snow Goose. 
 Ohen rossii. 
 
 See page 82. 
 
 Back, slaty brown ; belly and rump, gray ; the feathers, not barred ; terminal 
 half of tail, not white (adult) . 
 
 Blue Goose. 
 
 Ohen coerulescens. 
 Seepage 81. 
 
 Head and nape, white ; front of throat, black ; general plumage, plumbeous 
 ash ; the feathers barred at tip with black and white ; terminal half of tail, 
 white (adult) . Alaska, usual on Pacific coast to California ; not found in Eastern 
 ISTorth America. 
 
 Emperor Goose. 
 
 Fhilacte canagica. 
 
 See page 87. 
 
KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 35 
 
 Section 3. Head, brownish or grayish, sometimes marked 
 
 with white. 
 
 Forehead and feathers at base of bill, white ; nail of bill (unguis), whitish ; 
 
 bill, yellowish; breast, grayish, more or less marked or spotted with black. 
 
 American White Fronted Goose. 
 
 Anser alhifrons gambeli {adult) . 
 See page 83. 
 
 No white on forehead or base of bill; bill, yellowish; nail of bill (unguis), 
 
 dusky ; rump, slaty brown ; wing coverts, edged with white. 
 
 American White Fronted Qoose. 
 
 Anser alhifrons gambeli (immature) . 
 See page 83. 
 
 Qeneral plumage, grayish ; rump, white ; smaller than C. h. nivalis; bill, over 
 1.90; tarsus, over 2.80; middle toe, over 2.10 (immature). Chiefly Pacific coast 
 to Mississippi Valley, rare on Atlantic coast. 
 
 Lesser Snow Qoose. 
 
 Chen hyperborea (immature). 
 See page 80. 
 
 Qeneral plumage, grayish ; rump, white ; larger than either nivatis or rossii. 
 Eastern North America, south in winter to Florida and Cuba. 
 
 Greater Snow Qoose. 
 
 Ghen hyperborea nivatis (immature). 
 See page 81. 
 
 General plumage, grayish; rump, white; bill, 1.50 to 1.75; tarsus, 2.25 to 3; 
 middle toe, 1.80 to 2.05. Pacific coast, east to Montana, not found on Atlanitc 
 coast. 
 
 Ross's Snow Qoose, 
 
 Chen Sossii (immature) . 
 See page 82. 
 
 Head, brownish gray ; chin, white ; rump, gray ; unguis (nail or bill), yellow ; 
 wing coverts, grayish, showing very little white on the edge of the feathers. 
 
 Blue Goose. 
 
 Chen ccerulescens (immature) ■ 
 See page 81. 
 
 Head, plumbeous, speckled with white ; general plumage, plumbeous ash; the 
 feathers barred near tip with black and white; terminal half of tail, white 
 
 (immature). Alaska, casual on Pacific coast to California; does not occur in 
 Eastern North America. 
 
 Emperor Qoose. 
 
 Philacte canagica. 
 See page 87. 
 
36 KEY TO DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 GROUP VIII. 
 
 Birds having wings over 19 inches long.* 
 
 Head and neck, black ; a white patch on cheek. 
 
 Canada Qoose. 
 
 Branta canadensis. 
 See page 84. 
 
 General plumage, white ; bill, lilack with j'ellow spot (adult) ; distance from 
 tip of Ijill to uostril, less than distance from nostril to eye (immature birds are 
 gray or brownish gray) . Common on some parts of the coast. 
 
 Whistling Swan. 
 
 Olor columhianiis. 
 See page 91. 
 
 Olor cohimbiainis. 
 
 General plumage, white; bill, black, showing no yellow; distance from tijj of 
 bill to nostril, more than distance from nostril to eye. Chiefly found in the 
 interior of iSTorth America, not common on the coast. 
 
 Trumpeter Swan. 
 
 Olor buccinator. 
 See page 91. 
 
 ' Directions for wing meaeureincnt, see page 6. 
 
ORDER ANSERES, 
 
 Lamellirostral Swimmers. 
 
 Family ANATID^E. Ducks, Geese and Swans. 
 
 Subfamily MERGINAE. Mergansers. 
 
 Fish=eating Ducks having narrow bills with tooth-like serrations on edges. 
 
 Genus MERGANSER Brisson. 
 
 iVIorg;uit?er amurii-amt^ (nuilo). 
 
 Merg-iiiieer iinicricaiui;- (R'uialu). 
 
 MERGANSER AMERICANUS (Cass). 
 American Merganser. 
 
 SiTELDKAKE, GoOSANDER. 
 
 Adult, male : Bill, red, long and narrow, \viUi tooth-like serrations ; head and neck, green- 
 ish black ; under parts, creamy white tinged with salmon color ; tail, gray; feet, red. 
 
 Length, 26.50; wing, 11; tarsus, 2; bill, 2.10. 
 
 Adult female : Upper throat, white ; breast and head, rufous brown: belly, white ; specu- 
 lum, white; feet, orange. 
 
 Length, 24.,50; wing, 0.7.5; tarsus, 1.90; bill, 2. 
 
38 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SMANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill is less than 1.50 inches in this species, 
 and the female may ahvaj'S be distinguished from the Eed-breasted Merganser by this charac- 
 ter, as in that species the distance from the nostril to tip of bill is more than 1.50 inches. 
 
 The American Merganser, Sheldrake, or Goosander, as it is variously called 
 in different localities, is generally distributed throughout North America, from 
 the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is not uncommon on the Atlantic coast, from 
 Maine to Georgia, and occasionally a few birds wander as far south as Florida. 
 It breeds in the northern United States south to Pennsylvania and Colorado. 
 The nest is a little mat of leaves or grass placed on a ledge, or occasionally in 
 a hole in a tree. The eggs are from seven to ten, of a pale yellow buff color. 
 
 riERQANSER SERRATOR (Z/««.). 
 Red'breasted Merganser. 
 
 Shelukake. 
 
 
 MerKMnKcr Rf^rr.-itor (niiilc). 
 
 AdnJt male : Head and upper 
 throat, Idack, tinged with greenish; 
 a white ring around the neck, not 
 always well defined; breast, rufous, 
 streaked with black; lower breast 
 and bell.v, white; the sides and rump, 
 delicately pencilled black. Distance 
 from nostril to tip of bill, more 
 than 1.50. 
 
 Length, 28 ; wing, !) ; tarsus, 1.90; 
 bill, 2..30. 
 
 Femah'. and young male: Head, 
 brownish; throat, pale buft'; back, 
 gray; under parts of the body are 
 white, and speculum is white. 
 
 Length, 21; wing, 8.80: tarsus, 
 1.90; bill, 2.,50. 
 
 The Red-breasted Merganser 
 is a cosmopolitan species occur- 
 ring in Europe and Asia, as 
 well as the Western Hemisphere. It occurs throughout North America, 
 rano-ing in \vintcr southwaid to the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba, and is a 
 common species on the Atlantic coast, being the well-known "Sheldrake" of 
 o-unners. It breeds from Minnesota and Maine, northward ; the nest is placed 
 
DUCKS, GEE8K AND SWANS OF NOIiTU AJIEHICA. 
 
 39 
 
 on the ground, and usually very carefully concealed. The eggs are pale Iniff 
 color, from eight to twelve in nuniljcr. 
 
 The female of this species may always be distinguislied from the American 
 Merganser, or Goosiuuler, by the ditlerence in the distance from the nostril to 
 the tip of the bill. 
 
 Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 
 
 LOPHODYTES CUCULLATUS {Liini.). 
 
 Hooded flerganser. 
 
 Il.UKV CltdWN. 
 
 (JHile.) 
 
 (Ffiiiale.) 
 
 Advil iiKile : Head with large black and white crest ; 
 
 upper pnrts, lilaek: under parts, white, haviiij; the sides 
 browuish, delicately barred with blael;. 
 
 Length, 10.50; wing, 7.7.5; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 
 Adult female : Head aud neck, Ijrowuish, showing !i slight 
 crest, but not nearly as large as in the male ; under parts white. 
 Length, 18.50; wing, 7.75; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 
 The young bird resenildes the female, but has no crest. 
 Length, 18.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 
 
 The Hooded Merganser is found in many pai'ts of Xortli America, from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacitic. It is common in Florida in winter, and in many of 
 tlie Gulf States to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its range. The eggs 
 are usually de])osited in a hollow tree, near the water; they are white, some- 
 times buffy white, in color, and number from seven to ten. The note 
 somewhat resemljles that of the Scauj) Duck, but is sharper. 
 
o 
 
 q: 
 u. 
 
 t5 
 
 z 
 
 H 
 O 
 O 
 X 
 en 
 
BUCKS, GEESE AND SAVANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 41 
 
 Subfamily ANATIN^. River Due 
 Ducks having hind toe without membraneous lobe 
 
 or flap. 
 
 Genus ANAS Linn. 
 
 (Female.) 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 ANAS BOSCHAS Linn. 
 
 -^ Mallard. 
 
 CrREEN Head, Ex«lish Duck. 
 
 Adult male: Head and neck, dark green with a white ring on the neck; under parts, 
 whitish or ashj' white; breast, rich chestnut ijrown; under tail coverts, blaolv ; upper tail 
 coverts are also blacl? with central feathers elongated and curved upwards ; speculum, pur. 
 pie, bordered with black and white; feet, orange red; bill, yellowisli olive. 
 
42 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SAVANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Adult female : Speeulum, purple bordered with black and white; head, brownish l)uff; 
 belly, bufiy brown, usually mottled; feet, orange red. 
 Length, 23; wing, 10. .50; bill, 2.20. 
 
 The MalLird Duck occurs commonly throughout the northern part of the 
 Northern Hemisphere. It breeds far northward, ranging in winter to the 
 West Indies and Central America. The eggs are greenish white, from seven 
 to ten in number. The nest is usually placed on the ground, and is com- 
 posed of grass lined with down. 
 
 The Mallard is known to cross with various species, some sixty or seventy 
 hybrids having l^een recorded; the most common crosses being with the Pin- 
 tail, Black Duck and Widgeon. The female may always be distinguished 
 from the Black Duck by the broad white border of the speculum. 
 
 The male says, "Drake, drake, drake, drake," several times, in a husky 
 voice, and also " Shwipe," low and husky, like the Black Duck. The female 
 "quacks." Drakes rarely "(juack." In most species it is usually the female. 
 
 ANAS OBSCURA Gmel. 
 Black Duck. Dusky Duck. 
 
 Head and neck, pale Ijrown, finely dotted 
 and streaked with dark brown; top of the 
 head darker than the cheeks ; general plu- 
 mage, dark brown ; feathers, edged with 
 pale buflf; speculum, purple, edged with 
 black ; bill, j'ellowisli green, with dark nail, 
 no black at the liase ; feet, orange red, with 
 dusky webs ; the color of the feet varies. 
 
 Length, 21 ; wing, 10.75; l)ill, 2.10; tar- 
 sus, l.T."!. 
 
 It is not improbable that there are 
 two well-marked races of this species, 
 one l)eing larger and heavier, fre- 
 cjuenting salt water bays and lagoons, 
 and having the legs and feet orange red ; and the 6ther, a somewhat smaller 
 bird, having the legs and feet olive, and usually found about fresh-water lakes 
 and ponds. Some of the Maine gunners recognize i this ditference, and call 
 the larger bird the Hudson's Bay Duck. The Black Duck ranges throughout 
 eastern Nortli America, from Illinois to the Atlantic coast, and from Labrador 
 and Hudson's Bay to Cuba and the Antilles. It is npt uncommon in Florida 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 43 
 
 in winter, where it may be distinguished from the local species {Anas fidvi- 
 gula) by its darker color and streaked throat. 
 
 The nest is placed on the ground, the eggs lieing pale greenish white, and 
 usually from nine to twelve in number. 
 
 The male says: "Drake, drake, drake, drake," and also "Shwipe," in a 
 husky voice; the female, "quacks." 
 
 This species may always be distinguished from the female of the Mallard 
 by the absence of white on the speculum. 
 
 ANAS FULVIQULA Ridgway. 
 
 Florida Black Duck. 
 
 AAidt male ; Upper mandiljle, yellowish olive ; 
 nail and spot at base of mandiljle, black, some- 
 times mixed with dull orange; under mandible, 
 j'ellowish olive, dusky at tip ; legs and toes, pale 
 orange, with the webs red; iris, brown. 
 
 Adult female : Legs and toes, dull Indian red; 
 webs, mottled brownish and flesh color; upper 
 mandible, yellowish olive, showing a browuisli 
 stripe on the middle, and the nail and a spot at the 
 base, black; under mandible, pale orange yellow. 
 
 General appearance of the Northern Black 
 Duck, but lighter, and having the throat and 
 cheeks almost without streaks and very pale 
 buff in color. 
 
 Length, 20; wing, 10.20; bill, 2; tarsus, 1.70. 
 
 This species is resident in Florida, 
 and also occurs on the Gulf coast west 
 to Louisiana. 
 
 The nest is placed on the ground, usuall}^ in a marsh near water. Incuba- 
 tion commences the latter part of March or early in April. The eggs are pale 
 brown, often showing a greenish tinge, and numbering usually eight to ten, 
 
 but I have heard of fourteen being taken from one nest. 
 that of the Black Duck. 
 
 The note resembles 
 
44 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 ANAS FULVIQULA MACULOSA {Senn.). 
 nottled Black Duck. 
 
 Special Character : Male : Top of head, blackish brown, raarghied with very pale buff; chin 
 and throat, Isabella color ; cheeks, buffy white, with narrow streaks of dark brown ; feathers 
 of breast, wings, upjier parts, and flanks, blackish brown, margined with pale buff; under parts, 
 buffy white, each feather with a broad blackisli brown spot near the tip, giving a decidedly 
 mottled appearance. Under tail coverts, blackish, with outer margin of inner web reddish buff, 
 with inner web buffy white; the four median feathers of tail, blackish brown; all the others 
 fuscous, margined with pale buff', having a V-shaped mark, as in A. fulvigula, but of a buffy 
 white. Under surface of all tail feathers, light gray, excepting lour median, which are black- 
 ish brown ; hning of wing, white ; speculum, metallic purple ; feathers, tipped with white ; bill 
 has a small black spot on base of lower edge of upper mandible, as in A. fulvirjula; feet, 
 reddish orange. 
 
 "VVing, 10.05; cuhnen, 2.2.5; tarsus, 1.7.5; middle toe and cl.aw, 1.50 inches. 
 
 Female : Similar to the male, excepting that there is no black spot on the bill at the base 
 of the upper mandible. 
 
 Wing, 10; culmen, 1.90; tarsus, 1.60; middle toe and claw, 1.45 inches. — Hennett, Auk, 
 1889, p. 26,3. 
 
 The Mottled Black Duck occurs from Eastern Texas north to Kansas. 
 
 Subgenus CHAULELASMUS Bonaparte. 
 
 Anaw sti'uiiera (male). 
 
 ANAS STREPERA Liim. 
 Qadwall. 
 
 Gray Du(!K. Cheek Duck. 
 
 Adidt male : Top of head, brownish, finely streaked and mottled with Itlack and dark 
 brown; neck and breast, mottled (l)lack and white), the feathers being black, having a central 
 white mark; under parts, white (sometimes grayish white). Under tail coverts, black, upper 
 
DUCK8, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 45 
 
 tail coverts und ruinp, black ; speculum, black and white ; the lesser wing coverts, cliestuut ; 
 bill, black; feet, orange; axillars, white, with white shafts. 
 
 Length, 19.50; wing, 10; bill, 1.60. 
 
 Adult female : Somewhat resembles the male, but has tlie under wing coverts pure white, 
 and usually little or no chestnut on the lesser wing coverts. 
 Length, 19 ; wing, 10.1.5 ; bill, 1.55. 
 
 Ranges throughout North America, from the fur countries to Central 
 America, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica, although it is not common on 
 the Atlantic coast north of Florida and Georgia. It breeds commonl}' in the 
 interior, from Kansas northward to high latitudes. 
 
 The eggs are usually from nine to twelve, and buffy white in color. The 
 note of the male somewhat reseml)les the soft call of a deer, or, perhaps, the 
 s(|ueak of a door ; the female "' quacks " softly. 
 
 Subgenus MARECA Stephens. 
 
 (Male ) 
 
 ANAS AMERICANA Gmc/. 
 
 Baldpate. American Widgeon. 
 
 Adult male: Head, speckled black and white; top of head, white; a broad stripe of green- 
 ish from eye to the occiput; chin, blackish ; upper breast, pale ashy lilac or vinaceous; rest 
 of under parts, pure white; crissum and under tail coverts, black; back, ashy vinaceous, 
 
46 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOETH AMERICA. 
 
 finely pencilled with black ; a broad patch of white on the wing ; most of the secondaries have 
 the outer web black edged with white ; the inner webs are grayish towards the tip ; speculum^ 
 black and green ; axillary plumes, white with dark shafts. 
 
 Adult female : Head and throat, whitish or buffy white, streaked and mottled with black ; 
 back, grayish brown ; tertials, dusky, edged with whitish. 
 
 Length, 19; wing, 10.50; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 1.40. 
 
 This species ranges nearly throughout Noith America, but does not breed 
 on the Atlantic coast, as far as known. It is very common in winter in our 
 Southern States, and is found in the West Indies, Central America, and North- 
 ern South America. It breeds in the interior ; the eggs are from eight to 
 twelve, pale brownish white in color. 
 
 Note of the male is three soft whistles, " Do, mi, do," of the scale ; the 
 female " quacks." 
 
 ANAS PENELOPE Linn. 
 
 European Widgeon. 
 
 The European Widgeon (Anas penelope), which occasionally wanders to 
 our shores, has the head cinnamon, speckled with brown, while the American 
 Widgeon has the head grayish, speckled with dusky. The females somewhat 
 resemble each other, but the head and throat of the European bird is pale brown. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOKTH A.MElilCA. 
 
 47 
 
 SuiiCENus NETTION Kaup. 
 
 ANAS CAROLINENSIS Gniel. 
 
 Qreen=winged Teal. 
 
 Admit main : Head and neck, chestnut brown ; a patch iil: f'Tcen ))ehind tlie e}'e extend- 
 ing to the Uiipc; crown fenthcrs are somewhat elongated, toniiiug a small crest; sides and 
 liack, pale, marked witli narrow line lines ol black; under parts, white, shading into pale 
 lirown or lintf on the lireast, which is also spotted with black; specidum, green, bordered 
 with black anil cliestnut. 
 
 r*' i>\ v\ ^ ■' 
 \^ <^ ^ '^^ 
 
 (Millf. 
 
 A nils rjiruliiu'usis 
 
 (Female.) 
 
 All Lilt ffiiialc : Top ot iicad. bro\\uisli, margined with rcddisli brown; tiiroat and side of 
 neck, white, spotted witli lilack: lireast. tirownisli with black spots ; rest ot under parts, white, 
 sometimes showing black spots on the under tail coverts. 
 
 Length, 14. .50; wing, 7.20; tarsus. 1.2.t: bill, 1..50. 
 
 The Green-winged Teal ranges throughout North America, ))ree(ling north 
 of the United States. It is common in our Southern States in winter, and 
 occurs in the \A^est Indies and Central America. It breeds from our interior 
 Northern States and New Brunswick northward. The eggs are pale brown- 
 ish white and usually number from seven to twelve. The male wdiistles sharp 
 and low, and the female " quacks." 
 
48 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 Subgenus QUERQUEDULA Stephens. 
 ANAS DISCORS Linn. 
 
 Blue=winged Teal. 
 
 ACIuU male : Head, graj' with piirplisli gloss, darkest on top ; a white patch resembling a 
 crescent in front of the eye; greater aud middle wing coverts, pale grayish blue, forming a 
 grayish blue patch on the wing; specuhmi, rich green; under jjai'ts, purplish gray, spotted 
 on the breast with black; tlie flanks are narrowly barreil with black; bill, black; feet, yellow. 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 Anns iliscors 
 
 I FeniaU'.) 
 
 Adult femiilc : Showing a blue i^ateh on the shoulder which distinguishes it from other 
 Teals, except the female of .Inas ci/anjijitera, which has the cliin dusky ; and the upijer throat 
 often tinged with rufous. The locality wliere it is taken should also be considered. 
 
 This well-known species ranges tiirouohout Nortii America, breeding cliicfly 
 north of the United States. It is very common in Eastern United States 
 during migrations, and rather rare west of the Rocky mountains, although it 
 (jccasionally occurs on the Pacific coast. In winter it ranges to the West 
 Indies and northern South America, and is common in Florida. The eggs are 
 pale Ijuff, usually from eight to twehe in numlier. The male whistles, and 
 the female "quacks." 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND 8AVANS OF NORTH \SIF.R1CA. 
 
 49 
 
 (Mi.lc.) 
 
 ANAS CYANOPTERA T/W//. 
 Cinnamon Teal. 
 
 , \(hilt mall' : Head, neck, and upper parts, chest= 
 
 nutjfcrown, tlu' erowu soiiiewliat darkci- tluin the 
 sides or tlie lieail; under parts, lu-ownisli, showing 
 dusky ou tlie l)elly: rump, olive hmwu. leathers 
 becomhig- lighter on tlie edges; wing cdverts. bhie 
 gray, similar to tlie ]!lue-winged Teal; S])ecuhnn, 
 green ; tlie general coloration of the wing being 
 similar to the Blue-winged Teal, hut the coloration 
 of the body is so different that it should never be 
 eoiirounded with that species. 
 
 Adi'lt friiHilr : IJesembles tile leniale of the lilue- 
 winged Teal, although somewhat larger; the hill is 
 larger, and the under parts usually show at li'ast a 
 trace of the chestnut marking of the male; the 
 throat, more speckled; chin, dusky and often with 
 I'litous tinge, otherwise apparently similar to Anns ilisrnrs. 
 Tjength, 10; wing, 7.50; bill, 1.7.5; tarsus, l.l-ff). 
 
 The Cinnamon Teal ranges from Britisli Coliiml)ia to South America, heing- 
 almndant on the Pacihe coast, Ijut rare east of the liocky Mountains, ahhough 
 it occttrs more or less regularly in ^yinter along the Gulf coast to Florida and 
 in the Mississippi ^'alley (accidental in Illinois). The nest is placed on the 
 ground, and is composed of grass lined with feathers ; tiie eggs are from nine 
 to fourteen, and are pale )>luisli white or cream white in color. 
 
 The European Teal [Anas crecca) occurs occasionally in Xorth America. 
 It resembles our Green-winged Teal ; but the males may be distinguished by 
 the white bar in front of the wing, which is noticeable in the American bird, 
 but absent in the European. The females are very similar, and I am unaiile 
 to find any tangible characters by which they may be distinguished. 
 
50 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Genus SPATULA Boie. 
 
 SPATULA CLYPEATA {Unn.). 
 
 Shoveller. Broad-bill. 
 
 Adalt inah : Bill, very much broadened: head and neck, dai-k gveen ; lireast, i)ure wliite, 
 shading into puri^lish chestnut on the belly; wing coverts, blue; speculum, green, edged with 
 white; feet, orange red. 
 
 Length, 20; wiug, 9.50; bill, 2.70; tarsus, L.50. 
 
 Adult female : Head and neck, mottled and stre.<iked with pale brown and dark brown or 
 
 (t'eniale.) 
 
 (M.ale.) 
 
 Ijlack; under parts, bi'ownish, mottled and spotted with fuscous, scarcely showing on the 
 middle of the bell_y ; speculum and wing coverts as hi the male. 
 
 Immature male : Intermediate in plumage between the adult male and female, but the 
 speculum shows but little green, and the wing coverts are slaty gray; the head is often 
 lilotched anil mottled when changing to adult plumage. 
 
 Length, liL.oO; wing, 9. .50; bill, 2.C0 ; tarsus, 1..50. 
 
 The Shoveller, or Broad-bill Duck, occurs throughout the Northern 
 Hemisphere, Ijeing common in the interior. 
 
 It ranges in winter to South America and the West Indies, and is one of 
 the common species in Florida and the Gulf States. It breeds in the interior 
 from Minnesota northward. The eggs are pale liuff white, usually from six 
 to ten in number. The note of the male is a gutteral short "Thuck, thuck " ; 
 the female "quacks." 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOllTH AMERICA. 
 
 51 
 
 Genus DAFILA Stephens. 
 DAFILA ACUTA {Linn.). 
 
 Pintail. Sprigtail. 
 
 tlic lunlc, liiit liroiiil and 
 ami pale lii'cnvii; lireast. 
 
 Adult male: Bill, lead color, the base and a stripe along the culmen, black ; head and 
 neck, rich brown, sometimes showing a taint gloss of green on the leathers; sides of the 
 neek showing a stripe of wliite, and a stripe of lilaek extemling do^ii tlie back of tlie neck; 
 under parts, white, sliowing faint. «'avy, fine lines of dnskj' on tlie sides ; erissum, Idaek, edged 
 with white; central tail feathers, very much elongated in the male; feet, lead color. 
 
 Length, 28; wing, 9.50; tail, 7; liill, 2. 
 
 Adult female: Tail feathers, not so mueli elongated as iu 
 pointed ; crown and sides of the head, streaked with dusky 
 spotted with dark hrown or black; under parts, white; 
 abdomen and sides showing faint lines of dusky: 
 under wdng coverts, fuscous, edged with white ; axillary 
 plumes, white, barred with dark brown ; specvdum, 
 graj'ish brown edged w ith white. Tlie immature male 
 shows considerable variation in plumage, tlie under 
 parts being usually more streaked or spotted than the 
 adult female, which it otherwise somewhat resembles. 
 
 Length, 2-2; wing, 9.25; tail. :i.5(l: liill. 2. 
 
 
 A 
 
 Dalihi ai-ubi (IViiKik'). 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 This fine duck ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in 
 the interior from Illinois northward ; it apparently does not breed on the 
 Atlantic coast, but is common in winter from Virginia and the Carolinas south- 
 ward to the West Indies and Central America, being very abundant in Florida 
 in winter in some localities. 
 
 The eggs are usually from seven to twelve, and are bluish wdiite in color. 
 The female Pintail may always be recognized by the pointed middle tail 
 feathers and the barred axillary plumes. 
 
 The male wdiistles and the female "qiuicks."' 
 
52 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF' NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Genus AIX Boie. 
 
 AIX SPONSA (Linn.). 
 Wood Duck. Summer Duck. 
 
 Adult male : Bill, red, marked with rose-white, and a black stripe ou the middle of the 
 upper mandilde aud tip; under mandil)le, ))lack; head, with decided crest, which shows white, 
 metallic green, and purple; a narrow superciliary line from the hill to the occiput and another 
 stripe of white behind the eye, extending to the n.ape ; chin and throat, white, extending up- 
 wards in a streak on sides of the head to the ear coverts ; sides and front of the lower neck 
 and under breast, purplish chestnut, dotted with wliite spots; under parts, white, sides some. 
 
 (Feinalu.) 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 times grayish, showing taint pencilling of dusky lines; upper parts showing Ijronze-green and 
 l)urple ; speculum, bluish green edged with lilack and white. 
 
 Length, 18..50; wing, 9..50; bill, 1.40. 
 
 AiJult female : Crest, small, but the feathers somewhat lengthened ; head and neck, gray- 
 ish, whitening on the chin and front of the eyes; front of the neck and breast, pale brown, 
 mottled with grayish; the breast showing numerous brown spots, which fade away on the 
 lower breast; belly, white. 
 
 Length, IS; wing, 9.80; bill, 1.3.5. 
 
 This bcuiitifLil Duck ranges from the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba northward 
 to Hudson's 15ay, breeding nearly throughout its range. The eggs are pale 
 brownish white, and usually number from seven to fourteen. The nest is 
 placed in a hole in a tree, from which the young are taken, when large enough, 
 in the bill of the parent. The little ones often ciaml)er upon their mother's 
 back and rest there contentedly while she swims a))out in search of food. It 
 is essentially a fresh water duck, frequenting inland ponds and rivers. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 53 
 
 Subfamily FULIGULIN^. Bay 
 
 AND 
 
 Ducks having flap or membraneous lobe on hind toe. 
 
 Genus AYTHYA Boie. 
 
 AYTHYA AMERICANA {Eyf.). 
 Red-head Duck. 
 
 Adult male : Head and neck, brownish chestnut ; lower neck and uiiper brcust, lilackish ; 
 lj;u-k, apparently grayisli, beinj;- wliite peneilled Avith tine, wavy lines of black; ^peeuluni, 
 grayisli; upper feathers edged with blaek, the rest narrowly tipped witli white. 
 
 Leugtli, -21: wing. 8.40; tarsus, l.dd: liill. -l.-H). 
 
 
 
 A\"tli\ ;i iiiiR'ri<- 
 
 (Female.) 
 
 Adult f filial e : Bill, bhiisli. showing an indistinct bar near tlie end: head and neck, 
 re<ldish brown, palest on the sides of tlie head, becoming ashy on the sides ot the head; 
 upper throat, white; breast and sides, brownisli; belly, wliite ; under tail coverts and lower 
 belly, sometimes washed witli pale brownisli. 
 
 Length, 20..50; wing, 8.30; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 2.20. 
 
 The Red-head is nither a Western species, beinu' common in the interior, 
 and ))reeding from Minnesota, northward. It is very abundant from Virginia 
 
54 
 
 UUCKS, «EESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 to the Cai'oliiias during the winter, in suitable localities, and some birds occur 
 regularly in Florida and the northern West India Islands. The Red-head 
 may always be distinguished from the Canvas- back by the decided diflference 
 in the shape of the bill, the foreliead arching al)ruptly and not following the 
 line of the ))ill as in the Canvas-l)ack. 
 
 The female Red-head closely resembles the female of the Ring-necked Duck, 
 but is larger. As a rule it does not breed on the Atlantic coast, although a 
 single instance is on record of a pair being found lireeding near Calais, Maine. 
 The nest, which is placed on the ground, is composed of grass and lined with 
 down. The ego-s are ei^bt to twelve, brownish white in color. 
 
 Aytliya vallifiiieriji (iiiuk-J. 
 
 {Keniille.) 
 
 AYTHYA VALLISNERIA {IVils.). 
 
 Canvas-back Duck. 
 
 Ailult mnln: Head and neck, rufous lii-owii, Ix'comin^- iluskj- on the crowu auil chin; the 
 Ijreast and upper portion of the liac'l<, blackish; rest of upper parts and wing coverts showing 
 fine, wavy lines of Idack, general appearance l)eing grayish; lielly, white, the lower portion 
 faintly lined with dusky; sides, white, showiug tlie delicate lines as on the liack, Imt very 
 much fainter and sometimes wanting. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 55 
 
 Adult female : Head and neck, cinnamon brown, paler on the throat ; belly, white or 
 grayish white. 
 
 Length, 20 to 22; wing, 8.75 to 9.25; bill, .75 to .80; tarsus, 1.70. 
 
 The peculiar formation of the bill will always distinguish tlie Canvas-back 
 from the Red-head , which is the only species with which it could be confounded. 
 
 The Canvas-back occurs throughout North America, but is more common 
 in the interior than on the coast. It is abundant in winter, however, about 
 Chesapeake Bay and in favorable localities along the coasts of the Carolinas, 
 and a few birds wander as far south as Cuba and Jamaica. It occurs in 
 Florida but is not common. It l)reeds from Minnesota west, and north to 
 Alaska. The nest, which is composed of grass usually lined with more or less 
 down, is built on the ground in a marsh or on the low banks of some lake or 
 stream. The eggs are pale brownish white, sometimes bluish white, usually 
 from seven to ten in number. The Canvas-back has acquired an exalted 
 reputation among epicures, but given the same environment and food, and both 
 the Eed-head and Ruddy Duck will equal it in flavor and delicacy. 
 
 The Rufous Crested Duck, JSTetia rufina (Pall.), iv, supposed to have been 
 taken on our Atlantic coast, a fresh bird being offered for sale in Fulton 
 Market, New York City, which was supposed to have been shot on Long 
 Island. The bird was an immature male. 
 
56 
 
 DUCKS, GEESJ: and swans of north AMERICA. 
 
 AYTHYA HARILA NEARCTICA Stejn. 
 American Scaup Duck. 
 
 BLLJU-Hir.L. Bl.ACK-IIEAD. 
 
 Adxdt iiuik' : Head and neck and upper brea.st, black, showing greenish reflections ; back, 
 grayisli wliite, delicatelj^ Uued witli tine, wavy lines of black, giving it a grayish appearance; 
 speculum, white; under parts, white, the lower Ijelly showing grayish tinge. 
 
 Length, 19; wing, 8. .50; tarsus, 1.50; bill, 2. 
 
 -UiuU female: Patch at the base of the bill, white or gi-ayish white; rest of the head and 
 neck, breast, and upper back, l)rowuish; bellj^, white; speculum, white. 
 
 Length, 17.75; wing, 8.25; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.6U. 
 
 Aythyii mariUi iiuarctira (male). 
 
 (t'laiuilu.) 
 
 This s))ecic'S cjcctirs throughout North America, breeding north of the 
 United States. Jt ranges in winter south to the Bahama Islands and Guate- 
 mala, although it is not nearly as abundant in Southern waters as A. in. 
 affivis, to which it is very closely allied. Tiiere are, apparently, no constant 
 characters (with the possible exception of size) by which it may ))e sei)arated 
 from tiiat species ; the head, as a rule, shows greenish reflections, while the 
 Lesser Scaup Duck geiierally has the head glossed with purplish, but these 
 characters cannot lie always depended upon and the main difference is one 
 of size. 
 
DUCKS, GEESK AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 57 
 
 The eggs are described as being pale olive buff, and number from six to 
 ten. The nest is built on the ground. 
 
 The only duck (except the Lesser Scaup Duck) with which this common 
 bird is likely to be confounded is the Ring-neck, and it can always be distin- 
 guished at a glance from that species by the white band on the wing (speculum) , 
 which is always gray in the Ring-neck. 
 
 AYTHYA AFFINIS {Eyt.). 
 Lesser Scaup Duck. 
 
 Blue-bill. 
 
 Mule : Resembles the male of the preceding species but is somewhat smaller in size ; the 
 head generallj' shows a faint gloss of purplish, which in the Greater Scaup Duck is usually 
 greenish. 
 
 Length, 17; wing, 8.10; tarsus, 1.50; bill, 1.80. 
 
 The female resembles the female of the preceding species, but is smaller ; the speculum, 
 of both male and female, is white, and this duck may always be distinguislied from the Eing- 
 neck by this character. 
 
 Length, 16.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 
 
 This bird ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United 
 States, and occurs in winter south to Guatemala and West Indies. It is the 
 most common species in Florida, being one of the first to arrive and among 
 the last to leave the State. I have seen small flocks of them in the rivers as 
 late as the first of May. The note of this and the Greater Scaup Duck is 
 peculiar, difficult to describe, but rather easy to imitate. It somewhat resem- 
 bles the sound made by rubbing tlie finger quickly and lightly over a roll-top 
 desk. 
 
58 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 AYTHYA COLLARIS {Donov.). 
 Ring-neck Duck. 
 
 AdvXt male: Head, and neck, upper lireast, and upper back, black, usually showing faint 
 bluish reflections when held in the light. In the l)reeding season the male has an orange 
 chestnut collar, which is usually lacking later in the season; belly, white, with the lower 
 bell}' finely lined with blackish; speculum, gray; bill, dusky, showing a faint bluish gray 
 band near the end. 
 
 Adult female : Head, brownish, the sides mixed with grayish brown shading into whitish 
 on face about base of the bill; bellj', whitish, becoming grajish on the lower i^ortion; bill, as 
 in the male. Resembles the female l!ed-head Duck, but is smaller. 
 
 Length, 17; wing. 8; bill, 2. 
 
 Aytliya collaris (male). 
 
 A\tli}a (-(jllaris (I'enialc). 
 
 The Rin^r-neck Duck ranges throughout North America, lireeding north of 
 the United States. It occurs in winter as far soutli as Guatemala and the 
 West Indies. 
 
 The female resembles the female Ked-head, l)ut is easily distinguished from 
 that species by its smaller size, and its gray speculum will always distinguish it 
 from the Scaup Ducks. The note is somewhat similar to that of the Scaup Duck. 
 In winter the collar of the male is usually absent or but slightly indicated. 
 
 Unlike the Scaup Ducks the Ring-neck prefers fresh or slightly brackish 
 water, and is much more common in the interior than on the coast; it breeds 
 in the interior fi'om Minnesota and Iowa northward. The nest is composed of 
 grass placed on the ground ; the eggs are olive buff color, six to twelve in numl)er. 
 
DUCK8, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AJIEKICA. 
 
 5H 
 
 Genus GLAUCIONETTA Stejn. 
 
 QLAUCIONETTA CLANQULA AHERICANA {Boiiap.). 
 American Golden Eye. Whistler. 
 
 Male : Head mid throat, glossy dark green ; u putch ol white on cheeks at the base of 
 tlic bill, rather round in form; lower tliroat and under parts, wiiite, encircling' the necli 
 anil extending ghglitly upon thi' upper Ijaeli ; Ijack, lilaek: wings, lilaek; many of tlie 
 secondaries, white, and tlie wing eoveits, lieavily marlccd «itli wliite, giving tlie a]iiiearauee 
 of a very liroad white patch on tlie wing. 
 
 Length, T.)..50; wing, 9: l)ill, l..oO: side of bill, 1.1)0; taisus. 1.70; tail. 3. SO. 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 (Fc'iiiale.) 
 
 Fcmali' : Head and throat, l)rowu; neck, whitisli: upper l)reast and sides of the body, 
 strongly tinged with gray, the ends of the feathers being wliitish; rest of the under paits, 
 white; liack, brownish black; wings, black; secondaries, being mostly wliite, forming a 
 broad, white wing band; wing coverts, tipped with gray. 
 
 I.engtli, ir>.,50; wing. 8.-2.t; liill. l.:^0; side of bill, 1. SO; tarsus, 1.2.5 ; tail, 3.7.5. 
 
 The Golden E\'e ranges ocnerally throuohout North America, breedino- 
 from Maine and the Uritish rro\inces northward. It winters from New 
 Eno'land, where it is \yell Icnown to o-unners l)y the name of " Whistler," 
 soutliward, and stragu'lers have been recorded from Barbados, Cuba, and 
 Mexico. The nest is placed in a tree or hollow stump. The eg-o-g are dull 
 bluish Avhite, usually from eioht to ten in number. 
 
60 
 
 DtJCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 GLAUCIONETTA ISLANDICA {Gmel.). 
 
 Barrow's Golden Eye. 
 
 Male : Head and neck, dark bluish purple ; 
 
 rest of iindei- parts, white; a crescent-shaped spot 
 of white on tlie cheeks at l)ase of bill; a baud of 
 white about two inches wide passes around the neck 
 and joins the white of tlie sides and breast ; rest of 
 upper parts, l)hLck; wings, Idack; aud wiug coverts, 
 heavily marked with white, and many of the second- 
 aries, white ; tail, black. 
 
 Wing, 9.25; bill, 1.2.5; on side, 2; tail, 4; 
 tarsus, 1.50. 
 
 Female : Resembles the female American Golden 
 Kye but is somewliat larger; head, cinnamon 
 brown ; lower throat and under parts, white, tinged 
 with gray on the upper breast and sides of the body ; 
 back, gray, slightly mottled with brown, shading 
 into In-own on the rump ; wings, black ; many of the 
 secondaries, white, and the greater and lesser wing 
 coverts, tipped with grayish white. 
 
 Wing, 8.60; bill, l.i50; on side, 2. 
 
 GlauciuDutta islandica (niak')- 
 
 M'hile the male birds of this and the preceding species are quite different, 
 the females cannot always he distinguished. The female Barrow's Golden Eye 
 is usually larger ; and the locality where the specimen is taken should always 
 be considered. Barrow's Golden Eye is rare on the Atlantic coast, while the 
 American Golden Ej^e is one of the most well-known birds to New Eno-land 
 gunners, who know it under the name of " Whistler." It breeds from the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence and northern Rocky Mountsiins, northward to Green- 
 land and Alaska ; the nest is usually phiced in a hollow stump or tree. The 
 eggs are pale grayish blue, usually from seven to ten in number, and meas- 
 ure 2.40 X 1.75 inches. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 n • 
 
 Genus CHARITONETTA Stejn. 
 
 CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA {Linn.). 
 Buffle=head. Butter=ball. Spirit Duck. Dipper. 
 
 Ailalt male: A very small ducl<: ; head, upper neck, and throat, greenish purple, 
 
 showing various reflections ot l)luisli und greeiiisli; a large white patch on the head, from 
 the eye backwards; back, l)hick; under parts, wliite ; liill, lead color: tcet, Hcsb color; wing 
 coverts, and some of the secondaries, heavily marked with white, forming a broad, white wing 
 patch. 
 
 l.ciigth, 12.75; wing, (1; tarsus, 1.20; bill, 1. 
 
 
 CliMriloiR'Ua allieuti (iiialo). 
 
 (Funialc.) 
 
 Jdiilt fniinlv : Head and upper parts, brownish, showing a grayisli widte patch on the 
 side of the head; uuder parts, white; speculum, white. 
 LcNgth. 12. .")0: wing, ;i.7."); tarsus. 1.20; liill, 1. 
 
 The BufHe-hciul occurs tlu'oiti;hout North America, raiigiiio- south in \viiitcr 
 to Cuba ami Mexico, l)rccding northward from Maine to Alaska,. The nest is 
 usually built in a stiunp or hollow tree. The eggs are [jale buff in color, from 
 eight to ten in number. 
 
62 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 Genus CAMPTOLAIMUS Gray. 
 
 CAMPTOLAinUS LABRADORIUS {GmeL). 
 
 Labrador Duck. Pied Duck. 
 
 Adult mala : Head, neck, and upper breast, wing surface including scapulars, wiug cov- 
 erts, and secondaries, white ; a collar around the neck, and a stripe extending over the fore- 
 head along the top of the head to the base of the skull, black ; rest of plumage, including 
 upper back, primaries, and under parts, black ; legs and toes, ashy ; webs, black ; terminal 
 half of bill, black ; basal half, pale orange, the latter color extending along the edges of the 
 mandible for two-thirds the length of the bill ; iris, dark hazel. 
 
 Adult female : General plumage, brownish ash with a bluish tinge on the feathers of the 
 back, and wing coverts; secondaries, white, forming a wing band; teitiaries, ashy, edged 
 with black ; bill and feet, as in the male. 
 
 Length, about 19; wing, 8.25; tail, 2.45; tarsus, 1.95; bill, 1.45. 
 
 The Labrador Duck, or Pied Duck as it is sometimes called, is now, prob- 
 ably, an extinct species, although its disappearance is of comparatively recent 
 date. Why such a strong flying bird, and one so eminently able to take care of 
 itself, as this duck must have been, should have become extinct, is one of the 
 secrets of nature. 
 
 My friend, the late Mr. George N. Lawrence, told me he had often seen 
 Labrador Ducks oflered for sale in Fulton Market, New York City, some- 
 where back in the forties. As far as we know there are but forty-two speci- 
 mens of this bird now preserved in various museums and private collections 
 of the world. 
 
Female. 
 
 LABRADOR DUCK. 
 
64 
 
 DUCK.S, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AJIEKICA. 
 
 Genus CLANGULA Leach. 
 
 CLANGULA HYEMALIS {Linn.). 
 
 Old Squaw. Old Wife. South Southerly. Long-tailed Duck. 
 
 AduJt male in v-intn- : Central tail feathers, black, much elongated ; outer tail feathers, 
 white; top of the hea<l and back of tlie neck to back, white; a i)atch of grayish on the sides 
 
 JIale, winter plllliKlgc. Smnnicr. 
 
 of the liead, includiiiii' the eye. which is succeeded liy a patch of ljlacl< on the sides of tlie 
 neck, bordered on the lower throat by an indication of brown; throat and upper breast, pure 
 _ white ; breast and upper belly, black, the black contin- 
 
 iniig over the bael< in a liand; lower belly and under 
 tail coverts, white ; wing coverts, l)lack; (juills, Ijrowu ; 
 a pale j-ellowisli band across the end of the bill. 
 
 M^nle in x/iring : Head, smoky brown or lilack ; crown, 
 black: a white patcli ou tlie face inclmliug the ej'es; 
 entire nccl'; and breast, smoky brown or black; rest of 
 under i^arts, dull white; feathers of the upper back and 
 scapulars edged with rufous. 
 
 .liJult f finale in lointer : Head, dull white on the 
 crown, and a ]iatch on the side of tlie back of the head, 
 smoky black or brownish black; under parts fuscous; 
 breast, gi-ayish ; bcdly, white; tail feathers, pointed, 
 but not elongated as in the male. 
 
 Length (including tail), 21; wing, 8.50; bill, 1.10. 
 
 " Xorthern iremisphere in North America, south to the Potomac and the Ohio (more 
 rarel}' to Floi'ida and Texas) and California; l)reeds far northward." (A. O. U.) 
 
in « 
 is: c 
 
 Q 
 
 IxJ 
 Q 
 
 5<: 
 
 o 
 
 5 li( 
 
 13 
 
 Q 
 
 o 
 
t)6 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Tlie 01(1 Squaw is one of the most common species of sea ducks and is 
 well known to g-unners alono- the New Enoland const. Manv remain all 
 winter, but others wander further south, audi have occasionally killed them 
 in Florida, where, during the winter of 1894-.5, they were not uncommon. 
 The nest is placed on the ground ; the eggs are pale bluish green, usually 
 from seven to twelve. 
 
 Genus HISTRIONICUS Lesson. 
 
 HISTRIONICUS HISTRIONICUS (Li7in.). 
 Harlequin Duck. 
 
 UistrionicuH liistriunic-ii8 (iii;i1l'). 
 
 liistrioniciis histrhmicus (ifinak'J. 
 
 Ailult mciJe: Ile.'id, yariousl}' inarkeil with n'raj', wliite, rufous brown, and l)lack; a collar 
 of wliite edfi'eil with lilacl-: passes around the necl< ; a liroad ))and of white edged with black 
 commences on tlie sides of tlie Ijreast and extends upwards; under p.arts, grayisli brown; 
 sides lieavily marked with rufous lirowu; back, dark slate; the scapularies and tertials marked 
 with white; speculum, very dark lilue; under tail coverts, bluish black, showing a spot of 
 wliite on the sides; tail, pointed. 
 
 Wing, 7..oO; liill, 1 ; sides of liill, 1.3.5; tail, 4.50; tarsus, 1.2.5. 
 
 AihiU fimale: He.id, grayish brown; face, whitish; spot of white on the ear coverts; 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA, 67 
 
 entire upper plumage, dull brown ; some of the feathers slightly washed with grayish ; breast, 
 grayish brown; rest of under parts, mottled grayish brown; wings and tail, brown, with- 
 out white. 
 
 "Northern Korth America, breeding from Newfoundland, the northern Eooky Mountains, 
 and the Sierra Nevada, northward; south, in winter, to the Middle States and California.'' 
 (A.O. U.) 
 
 The Harlequin Duck is nowhere very common, and seems to avoid warm 
 weather. On the Atlantic coast it rarely is found as far south as Massachu- 
 setts during the coldest winters ; but it is not uncommon on some parts of the 
 coast of Maine at that season. Occasionally, strngglers wander south, and a 
 specimen is alleged to have been taken near Gainesville, Fia. 
 
 During the winter months it becomes a sea duck, but it builds its nest in 
 hollow stumps and trees along the banks of the cold mountain streams and 
 lakes of our interior Northern States (Rocky Mountains and Newfoundland 
 northward). The eggs are described as pale yellowish brown or greenish 
 buff, the number being usually seven or eight. A nest in my collection con- 
 tains six eggs, which measure 2.25x1.70. 
 
(J8 
 
 DUCKS, OEF.SE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEItlCA. 
 
 Genus SOMATERIA Leach. 
 Subgenus SOMATERIA. 
 SOHATERIA HOLLISSIMA BOREALIS (Ihrlim). 
 Northern Eider Duck. Sea Duck. 
 
 MiOe : Top of the head, lihu-k, witli a striof of wliitc on tlic inidille of tlii' i-rown : occiput, 
 pale o-i-eeii, the color extending on the sides of the neck; rest of the head, breast, and back, 
 white, faintly tinged witli dull pinkish ou tlie lireast; rest of the under parts, Ijhiek : tail, 
 black; points of divided cuhnen, pointed. 
 
 AVing, 11.2.5; bill (culnien), 2; gape, 2. -50. 
 
 (Keijiale.) 
 
 (JiMle.) 
 
 Fi'iiKih : Gi'neral eoloi', pale rufous brown, mottled, and lianded witli iilack; head, tawny 
 brown, faintly lined and dotted with black; some of the secondaries tii)ped «itli white. 
 "Wing, 11. .50; bill ('culineiiK same as male. 
 
 The Nottheni P^idcr differs from the American Eider Duck in ha\'iiio the 
 IToints of the divided culmen (which extend upward on sith's of the forehead) 
 pointed and not rounded at the ends as in tiiat species. (See cut.) 
 
DUCKS, (JEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 (i9 
 
 This species occurs in " nortlieastevn Nortli America including;' Greenland, 
 soutli ill winter to coast of Massacluisetts." (A. 0. U.) It breeds from I^al)- 
 rador northward; eggs eight or less of a pale hluisli white or dull greenish 
 white. 
 
 
 N.iiiIh'I II l-:i.li r l>ui'k. 
 
 SOriATERlA DRESSERI Shar/>c. 
 American Eider. Sea Uuck. 
 
 Tlie American Eider Duck closely lesemliles the XiirllcTii Kidei-. there liehig no taugilile 
 ililterences which c:iii tie relieil iipeii exee[it th<' dittereiicc in sliiipe ot the iliviiled culmeu, tlie 
 points ot wliicli are hrond and rotuided, and not jiointed as in the noftliii-n spcM'ies. {See ciil.) 
 
 lAnigth, 28; wing, IO.T.t; tarsus, 1.7.">, 
 
 This species occurs along the cotist of North Amei'ica from Miiine to Lahra- 
 dor. In winter it has l)eeu found as far south as Delaware, and it also occurs 
 on the Great Lakes. It Ijreeds from tlie coast of Maine northward, the eggs 
 being usually eight or less, pale liluish gray or didl greenish olive, and measure 
 about 2 X ;>. It is from the breast of the Eider Ducks that the far-famed 
 eider down is taken. In Iceland, nian\- men make a business of gathering it, 
 and luindreds of pounds are annually exported. The female plucks the down 
 from lier breast to make a soft lining for her nest, and it is claimed that a 
 single nest will often yield two ounces of feathers. 
 
70 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 SOMATERIA V-NIQRA Gray. 
 
 Pacific Eider. 
 
 i9jierjal characters. Male : Similar to S. dresseri, but somewhat larger, and the l)ill some- 
 what broader and deeper, with large V-shajied Ijlack mark at throat. 
 
 Female: Similar to <irc'ssen'; but di'esseri does not occur ou the Pacific coast. 
 
 racilic Eldt;r (iiiiile). 
 
 The Pacific Eider occurs conimoniy nlong the coast of the North Piicilic 
 Ocean, and also in the interior to the Great Slave Lake. The eggs are pale 
 grayish green, measuring about 2x3 inches. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 71 
 
 Subgenus ERIONETTA Coufs. 
 
 SOriATERIA SPECTABILIS (Linn. 
 
 King Eider Duck. 
 
 Special cJii I rwtem. Mali' : Topaiid liack of the 
 head and nape, pale bluish gi'ii.V ; a black V on 
 the upper throat; feathers l)orderinf;- tlie upper 
 mandible and a spot below the eye, lijaek; sides 
 of head below the eye, whitish, more or less 
 tiiifi'ed with green; throat, white; breast and 
 upper liack, pale buff; rest of under parts, blaek ; 
 middle and ffreater wing eoverts, white; rest ot 
 wings, tail and lower baek, black; n])per back, 
 white; axillars, white. 
 
 Length, 24; wing, 11.2.5; tarsus, l.!)0; l)ill, 
 1.80. 
 
 Special cliiirai-ters. Female : Eesemliles in gen- 
 eral coloration the Northern and American Eiders 
 but may always be known by the peculiar shape 
 of the upper mandible. 
 
 Length, 21 to 24; wing, 10..5n to 11.3(1; tar- 
 sus, 1.80; bill, 1.25. 
 
 (-/-eiiijrapiiical dislritiutioii : " Xorthern parts of 
 Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions in Nortli .Vmeiica ; 
 in winter to (xeorgia and theCireat Lal^es."" (A. O. U.) 
 
 q.cct;ibills. 
 
 south. 
 
 casually. 
 
 Tlic King Eider breeds from Laljrador, nortlnvard, and, aceordini;' to Board- 
 man, a few pairs have been kno\vn to breed in the Bay of Fundy, Maine. The 
 nest is usually a mass of twigs or moss lined with down. Tlie eggs are from 
 six to ten, pale green in color, and measure about 2.5.') .\ 1.1)0. On the Pacific 
 coast they are very aliuiidant in winter about the Aleutian Islands. 
 
72 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Genus ARCTONETTA Gray. 
 
 ARCTONETTA FISHERII BRANDT. 
 Spectacled Eider. 
 
 Special rharoctcrit. MaJe : A lurge spectaele-like, silvery white jiatch enclosing the eye, 
 narrowly bordered with black ; throat, white ; forehead, and feathers at base of bill, whitish ; 
 rest of head, pale olive or graj'isli olive; the feathers on the occiput, somewhat elongated; 
 breast, dark slaty, becoming slaty lirown on rest of underparts and sides; back, scapulary 
 plumes, and wing coverts, white ; rump and tail, like lielly ; axillars, ashy white, the shafts 
 often slightly tinged with brownish. 
 
 Wing, 10; tarsus, 1.45; liill (culinen), 1; nostril to tip, 1.15; angle of mouth to tip, 2. 
 
 Special characters. Female: The peculiar spectacle-like patch enclosing the eye but slightly 
 indicated, and pale buff or grayish buft'; throat, l)uffy white; face, tinged with brownish; 
 crown, and Ijack of the head, mottled, and narrowly streaked with buft' and dark brown; 
 entire under parts, pale brown, faintlj' and irregularly barred with darker brown; feathers of 
 the back, dark In-own, tipped with tawny lirown, and pale rufous brown; axillars as In the 
 male; (|uills and tail, dark brown, with pale brown shafts. The female is smaller than the 
 male. 
 
 "Wing, 8.75; tail, .3.50; tarsus, 1.45; bill (culmen), .75; bill, from nostril, .90; angle of 
 mouth to tip, 1.80. 
 
 (Kc-m;ilc.) (Male.) 
 
 Geofjrajihical diUril/iition : "Alaskan coast of Bchring Sea, and north to Point Barrow. 
 
 (A. O. r.) 
 
 The Spectacled Eider seems to have a very limited range, and is apparently 
 nowhere common. It is known to breed in the vicinity of the Island of St. 
 Michael, Alaska, and a set of eggs, taken in that locality, in the Smith- 
 sonian collection, are pale olive gray, and measure about 2.40 -x l.G.5. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 73 
 
 Genus ENICONETTA Gray. 
 ENICONEITA STELLERI. 
 
 Stellers' Duck. 
 
 Speciiil charaxters. Male: Greater portion of the top ami siile^i of the liead. wliite; troiil of 
 the head, gi-eenigh ; an olive green pateh on tlie oceipiit; a small luiteh ot lilue blacl; around 
 the eye and another on each side of tlie oeciput ; tliroat and a l)road collar around tlie neek, 
 blue black; liack, dull blaek, shading into blue l)lack on the rumii and upper tail coverts; 
 outer webs of scapulary plumes, glossy blue ))lack or purplisli ; iiiuer welis, mostly wlnle ; 
 wing coverts, white; axillars, white; breast, whitish, liebjw the lilack collar shading into 
 tawny bull and theu cliestuut brown becoming gradually darker, lower down, until the collar is 
 smoky black on the lower abdomen; speculum, ])urplisli blue. 
 
 Length, 15.50 to 18; wing, 8 to 8.60; bill, 1.40 to 1.60; angle of moutli to tip, 1.87. 
 
 Special charwters. Female: I'pper plumage, dusky mixed with fulvous; head anil neck, 
 light brownisli, more or less speckled with dusky ; breast, tawiiy brown, barred and spotted 
 with dusky; bell}', ilark, smoky brown or sooty lirown ; speculum, showing tinge "i purplfsh 
 blue, but not brilliant as in the male; wing <'Overts tippeil with buff gray or brownisli gray. 
 
 Geoeii-dfihiedl Distribution: -'Arctic and subarctic coasts of the Northeru llendsiihere, 
 Aleutian Islands, east to UiKilaska and Kadiak: Iveuai Peninsula." (A. '). 1'.) 
 
 Stellers" Duck is abuiulant in summev in Behiing Sea and winters in miiu- 
 bers among the Aleutian Islands. It was oljserved l:>y Ktiinlien in Greenland 
 in 1878. The eggs are usually from si.x; to nine, grayish green in color, and 
 measure about 2.20 x I. GO. 
 
74 
 
 DUCKS. GEESE AND SWANS OF NOETH AMERICA. 
 
 Genus OIDEMIA Fleming. 
 
 Subgenus OIDEMIA- 
 
 OIDEIVIIA AMERICANA Sw. & Rich. 
 
 American Scoter. Black Coot. Butter=bill. 
 
 ^Idnlt male: General plumage, entirely black; bill, black, the upper mandible being 
 yellowif'li orange at the l)ase. Feathers on the bill more than one-half inch from the 
 nostril ; no white on the wing. 
 
 AiluU femiile : Hi'owiiish, or sooty brown; paler on the under parts, heeoming grayish 
 white on the belly; sides of the head, whitish; feathers on the bill more than one-half 
 inch from nostril ; no white on the wing. The female is smaller than tlie male. 
 
 Length, .10; wing, il.lO; tarsus, 1.65; bill, 1.80. 
 
 This species breeds from Lal)nid<)i' nortliwavd ; the eggs being described as 
 pale brown or dull whitish Ijrown, and from six to ten in nitmber. It occurs 
 on the Great Lalses, and ranges in winter soutli to Florida and California. On 
 the New England coast it is a familiar bird to gunners who give it the name 
 of Butter-bill Coot. 
 
 The Velvet Scoter (Oideviia/usca), a European si)ecies, has been taken in 
 Greenland. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NOKTH AMEPaCA. 
 
 75 
 
 Subgenus MELANITTA Boie. 
 OIDEMIA DEQLANDl (Boiia/y.). 
 
 White-winged Scoter. White=winged Coot. 
 
 Adult mala: Geii(M-:il plumage, black; iifipcr niaiidibk', onuiiic. lilaekish at the liasc; a 
 wliite spot under the eye anil a broad patch of white on the wing; feathers on the bill less 
 than one half inch from the nostril. 
 
 V^$' -1 
 
 (Male.) 
 
 (EeiiKilL-.) 
 
 Adult female : Is grayish brown, slinwing a wash of grayish white at the t)ase of the Ijill 
 and behind tlie ears; tlie speculum is white, whioli is a distinguishing character of this 
 species. 
 
 Length, 21; wing, 11.1.5; tarsus, 2; bill (cuhnen), 1.75; side measure, 2. 7.5. 
 
 Geographical distrilmtioii : '• Xorthern North America, Ijreeding in Labrador and the fur 
 covmtries; soutli in winter to Cliesapeake Bay, Southern Illinois and San Quentin Bay, Lower 
 California." (A. 0. U.) 
 
 This species is common on th<^ Atlantic coast durino: the migration, and is 
 well known to New England gunners by tlie name of "White-winged Coot." 
 The eggs aie descrilied as being butt' or cream color, six to ten in number, 
 the nest being placed on the ground. 
 
V. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEIilCA. 
 
 77 
 
 Subgenus PELIONETTA Kaup. 
 
 01 DEMI A PERSPICILLATA {Linn.). 
 
 Surf Scoter. Sea Coot. Skunk=head Coot 
 
 Adult male : General plumage, black, no white on the wing ; liead, black, with a white 
 patch on the foielicad and nape; feathers on the bill less than one half inch from the 
 nostril. 
 
 A pccuhai- hijjlily eoloved liill is one ot tlie distiui^nishiug mark.s of tli(> male of this speciest 
 
 (AlMlv.) 
 
 ( KeniaU'.) 
 
 it heiug orange, yellow, black, and white, the feathers on the top of the bill extending ranch 
 farther forward than on the sides. 
 
 Femalr mul immature : Brownish, showing a wliitish spot at the l>ase of the I)ill, and 
 back of the eyes; the female having the upi)er jiarts, brownish; under parts, asliy graj^, 
 shading into whitish on the belly. 
 
 Length, 20.50; wing, 1).60; tarsus, 1.(j.t; liill (cuhncn), 1..50; side measure, '2.35. 
 
 This species may always he distinguislied from 0. Americana by the for- 
 ward extension of the feathers on the top of the bill, and from 0. Deglandihj 
 the absence of the white wing patch. 
 
 It is one of onr most common Sea Ducks, called " Coots " by gunners, and 
 occurs both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and the large interior lakes. It 
 ranges south in winter to Florida and Lower California, and strao'slers have 
 been taken in Jamaica. It lirceds north of the United States, the eggs are 
 described as being jiale buff or dull white, and are usually from five to eight 
 in number. 
 
78 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Genus ERISMATURA Bonap. 
 
 ERISHATURA RUBIDA ( fFz/r ) 
 
 Ruddy Duck. Bull Neck. 
 
 AduJt male. Breeding plumage: Top of head and nape, black; sides of head, white; chin, 
 whitish ; throat, breast and sides of body, tlanlis, and rest of upper parts, deep rufous brown ; 
 wings, brown, without white patch; axillarg, grayish white, with pale brown or grayish 
 brown shafts; tail, lilack, the feathers stiff and pointed. 
 
 (Adult male.) 
 
 (A(Uilt female.) 
 
 Adult jemale : The general color of the up])er parts is brownish gray ; sides of the head 
 and throat, whitish, shading into gray on the lower throat and upper breast; under parts, 
 silver white, as in the male. 
 
 Length, 1.5.80; wing, 6; tarsus, 1.20; bill, 1..50. 
 
 The Ruddy Duck may easil}' be distinguished from other species by its 
 small size, chestnut l)rown color, and stift", pointed tail feathers. 
 
 It occurs throughout North America, ])reeding locallj' nearly throughout 
 its ranse. Jt occurs in winter south to Cuba and Guatemala and Northern 
 South America, and has Ijeen recorded from miiny of the West India Islands, 
 although ffrcat numbers remain in our Southern States during the winter. 
 These birds, when fat, are much esteemed by epicures. 
 
 The eggs are described as six to ten in numlier, of dull white or buffy 
 white, and the nest is usually built on a marsh, but is sometimes deposited 
 on floating vegetable matter. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKICA. 
 
 79 
 
 Genus NOMONYX Ridgway. 
 
 NOMONYX DOMINICUS {Linn). 
 Masked Duck. 
 
 Special characters. Male; Front of head, and fiice, black; back of head, and neck, rioli, 
 rufous brown, shading into pale chestnut, or tawuj' brown on the under parts; l)asal portion 
 of wing coverts, white, forming a white patch on the wing; prinniries, brown; feathers 
 of the back, black, edjj;ed with rufous bi'own; tail, black, the feathers still' and pointed; axil- 
 lars, wliite ; upper mandible, light blue, in life, showing a narrow middle stripe of black ; feet, 
 gray. 
 
 (Mik ) 
 
 (Female.) 
 
 Female . Top of the head, and a stripe through tlie eye, and a cheek stripe, black, or 
 brownish bl.ack; rest of the head, and upper throat, pale buff color, whitish on the chin; 
 breast, tawny, mottled with black; rest of under parts, washed with tawny brown, shading 
 into grayish on the .abdomen; back, dark brown; the feathers tipped with pale bi'own, or 
 tawny brown ; wings and tail, as in the male ; axillars, white. 
 
 llaliitat: Tropical America in general, including \\'est Indies; north on the Gulf coast to 
 the Lower Bio Grande; accidental in Eastern North America ("Wisconsin. Lake Chaniplain, 
 Massachusetts). A. O. Y. 
 
 The Masked Duck is a tropical species, accidental in Nortli America. It 
 is common in many parts of Soutli America and tlie AVest Indies. Several 
 specimens have been recorded as lieing taken in the United States, from New 
 York, Wisconsin, and near Maiden, Mass., the latter specimen I examined in 
 the flesh, as it was sent to me for identification (Auk, vi., 1889, p. SOG). 
 
80 
 
 DUCKS, GIOKSE AND SWANS OF NOUTH AMERICA. 
 
 Subfamily ANSERIN.E. Geese. 
 
 Genus CHEN Boie. 
 
 CHEN HYPERBOREA {Pall.). 
 
 Lesser Snow Qoose. 
 
 AduJt: General plumage, white; primaries, Ijhick; and pi-iinary coverts, pale ash. 
 Tlie immature bird has the head, neek, and upper parts, mottled gray and white; the rump and 
 tail are white ; under parts, white. 
 
 Length, 23 to ,30; wing, 14 to 17.50; liill, 2 to 2..3.5. 
 
 Clieii hyperljorea. 
 
 Iliibitiit: "Pacific coast to tlie Mississippi Valley, breeding in Alaska, south in winter to 
 .Soutliern Illinois and Southern California, casually to New England, Xortheastern Asia." 
 (A. O. U.) 
 
 This species is rarely seen cast of tlie Missiwuippi Valley ; it is common on 
 the Pacific coast. It breeds in Alaska ; the eags, according to Baird, Brewer 
 ct Ridgway (N. A. Bds.) are, "uniform, dirty chalky white and measure 
 3.40 X 2.20." 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF XOKTII A:\IE1UCA. 
 
 81 
 
 CHEN HYPERBOREA NIVALIS (Forsf.). 
 Greater Snow Goose. 
 
 Adult : Genei':il pliimnn'e, white; primaries, 
 lilack, and primar}- eoverts. pale ash. The im- 
 mature bird has the head, nerk, and upper parts 
 mottled gray and white; the rump and tail are 
 white ; under parts, white. 
 
 Similar to the preeedinj;' siieeiesbut smaller, 
 '•l.ength, 30 to ."iS ; wins, 14..50 to 17; 
 liill, 1.9.T to 2.30." (Ridgw.) 
 Ilaliilal : "North Ameriea, breeding tar nortli-east ot Muc-keuzie 
 II and migrating south in winter ehiclly along tlie Atlautie eoast, 
 lung ('ul)a." (A.O. U.) 
 
 l)asi 
 reae 
 
 The (ircator Snow (toosc does not sccni to lie very 
 abtindant anywhere. Its egos, and even the exaet h)ca- 
 tion of its lircedino' ii'vounds, are unknown. 
 
 <'1k'ii 1i\ liorlturc'il nivalis. 
 
 CHEN C/ERULESCENS (Lniu.). 
 
 Blue Goose. 
 
 K' fi" V" 
 '^' "'•' i..'"i*'lr.". '-/-■■S.J . 
 
 
 
 elien ciorulcscuus. 
 
 Ailulf : Ileail aud neck, white or 
 white tinged with orange brown, or 
 white tinged with gi-ayish ; baek aud 
 breast, dark slaty brown; the feathers 
 margined with lighter brown; wing cov- 
 erts and eoiieealed portion of pi'iiinu-ies 
 and secondaries, slaty grai' ; exposed 
 portion of prinmries and secondaries, 
 browuish black; greater portion of the 
 shafts, white; lowei- back and rump, 
 slaty gray; under piarts, diUl slaty gray, 
 the feathers nnn-giued with pale lirowu 
 or rusty brown; axillars, hoary gray 
 with grayish brown shafts. 
 
 "Wing, 1(5.2.5; tail, 5.75; tarsus, 2.75; 
 bill (culmen), 2.37; bill (nostril to tip), 
 1.37 ; (angle of ja«' to tip), 2.30. 
 
 Iliibitat: " Interior of Xorth America, 
 breeding on Eastern shores of Hudson's 
 Bay and migrating south in winter 
 through3Iississippi Valley to Gulf coast; 
 occasional on Atlantic coast." (A.O.I'.) 
 
^2 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 The habits of this species are but little known, and for many years it was 
 
 Clieti caM'uk'^ccnf?. 
 
 supposed to be tiie young of the Suow Goose. The nest and eggs are 
 unknown. 
 
 s of this littli^ ft- 
 
 CHEN ROSSII (Cassin.). 
 Ross' Goose. 
 
 AiImU : General plumag-e, pure white ; exposed portion of pri- 
 maries, hhick ; axillars, wliite ; basal portion of upper mandible 
 wrinkled and with warty-like excrescences. Immature birds 
 have the head, neck, and upper parts, pale graj' ; some of the 
 feathers of tlio back and wing <'Overts, edged with white; 
 rump and upjier tail coverts, tail and under parts, white. 
 
 Wing, 14..50; tail, .5; tarsus, 2.25; cuhiien, 2.15; bill 
 (nostril to tip), 2.85; bill (angle of moutli to tip), 1.70. 
 
 Hahitat: "Arctic America in summer. Pacific coast to 
 Southern California and east to Montana in winter." (A. O. U.) 
 A western species not found in Eastern United St.ates. The 
 oose are unknown. 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEItK^A. 
 
 83 
 
 Genus ANSER Brisson. 
 ANSER ALBIFRONS QAHBELI {Haiti.). 
 
 American While-fronted Qoose. 
 
 AduU: Forehead and base of bill, white ; the i-est ci( the head, l)r<i\viiisli ; neck, giayisli 
 hi-own, shading into dull white in trout; under parts, Avhitish, the bi-east showino; bhu-k mark- 
 ings; back, ashy gra_y, the feathers edged with browu on the upjjer part; shafts of i|uills, 
 white; bill, pinkish or reddish or pale white; feet, yellow. 
 
 The immature bird is similar, but shows no white on tlie base of the Ijill. or black mark- 
 iugs on the breast. 
 
 I^ength, 28; wing, 16; bill, 2; tarsus, 2.90. 
 
 This species occurs throughout North America, lireediiig far nortli, and 
 ranging in winter south to Mexico and Cuba. It is common in many parts of 
 the interior, but rather rare on the Atlantic coast. Tlie nest is placed on the 
 ground, and is composed of grass or ^veecls and linetl \vith down. The eggs 
 are five to seven, of pale greenish color, sometimes bro\vnish. 
 
 The European White-fronted Goose, Anser alhifrons (Gmel.), occurs 
 m Greenland, but has not been recorded elsewhere in North America. It is 
 smaller than the American species. 
 
84 ducks, geese and swans of north america. 
 
 Genus BRANTA Scopoli. 
 
 BRANTA CANADENSIS {Linn.). 
 Canada Qoose. 
 
 Ailult : Head and net-k, black ; a patch of white on the side of the head behind the eye 
 extending to tlie chiu; back and wings, grayish Ijrown; breast and under parts, dull grajish 
 white, becoming white on the belly ; tail, black. 
 
 The immature bird is similar, but has tlie throat and cheeks sometimes mottled. 
 
 Length, 40; wing, 19; bill, 2..50; tarsus, 3.20. 
 
 Braiita canadensis. 
 
 The Canada Goose occurs throughout temperate North America, breeding 
 in Northern United States and the British Provinces. It ranges in winter as 
 far south as Mexico and Jamaica, and a great number pass the winter on tlie 
 Atlantic coa.st south of Virginia. 
 
 The nest, which is composed of sticks and grass lined with feathers, is built 
 in the marshes and on borders of streams ; it is claimed that sometimes the 
 nest is placed in a tree. At one time it bred commonly on the Magdalen 
 Islands. The eggs are four or five, usually brownish white. 
 
 BRANTA CANADENSIS HUTCHINSII {Sw. 6- Jiic/i.). 
 Hutchins' Qoose. 
 
 Similar to the Canada Goose, but smaller; rare east of the Mississippi Valley. 
 
 Habitat: " ISTorth America, breeding in the Arctic regions and migrating south in winter, 
 chiefly through the Western ITnited States and Mississippi Valley, Northeastern Asia." 
 (A. (). Lf.) 
 
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 85 
 
 BRANTA CANADENSIS OCCIDENTALIS {Baird). 
 
 White-cheeked Qoose. 
 
 Special characters: "White patches on cheeks, usually separated by a black throat stripe 
 or black mottling on the throat ; white collar round lower neck, usually very distinct ; wing, 
 more than 16 ; oulmen, more than 1.25." — Bidgway. 
 
 Pacific coast form ranging from Alaska, south in winter to California. 
 
 BRANTA CANADENSIS HINIMA. 
 
 Similar to the preceding species but smaller and the under parts darker. 
 Length, 23 to 25; wing, 13.60 to 14.50; culmen, 95 to 1.15; tarsus, 2.40 to 2.75. 
 Habitat: "Coast of Alaska chiefly about Korton Sound and the Lower Yukon, migrating 
 southward into the Western United States, east to Wisconsin." (A. O. U.) 
 
 BRANTA LEUCOPSIS {Bechst). 
 
 European Barnacle Goose. 
 
 The European Barnacle Goose, Branta leucqpsis, is common in northern 
 parts of the Old World. It occurs regularly in Greenland, and specimens 
 have occasionally been taken on our coasts. The white on the forehead and 
 sides of the head and chin will always distinguish it from American species. 
 
86 
 
 BUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEHICA. 
 
 BRANTA BERNICLA {Linn.). 
 Brant. 
 
 liranta bernicla. 
 
 Adult: Whole of the head, neck, aud upper 
 breast, black, except a patch on the sides of the 
 neck, which is white and black; back, grayish 
 brown ; longer tail coverts, white ; lower breast, 
 grayish, shading into white on the Ijelly. 
 
 Length, 25; wing, 13; tarsus, 2.25; bill, 1.30. 
 
 Ranges froni Arctic Circle, where it breeds, 
 southward in Eastern North America to Georgia, 
 and occasionally to Florida. During migrations 
 many are killed on the New England coast. 
 Boxes are placed in sand bars in the vicinity 
 of their feeding grounds ; as the tide rises, the 
 flocks gradually swim in nearer the bars and are 
 often attracted within shooting distance by the 
 decoys. 
 
 The eggs are described as creamy white in 
 color, usually four in number. The nest is 
 composed of grass and moss. 
 
 Brantii nigi'ican.s 
 
 BRANTA NIGRICANS {Lawr.). 
 
 Black Brant. 
 
 Ad.idt : Differs from the common Brant in having the 
 front of the neck as well as the sides marked with 
 
 white ; tlie breast and upper belly are darker. 
 
 Length, 26; wiug, 13; bill, 1.30; tarsus, 2.30. 
 
 HahUat : '• Arctic and Western North America, south in 
 winter to Lower California; casual in the Atlantic States." 
 (A. O. U.) 
 
 The Black Brant is merely a straggler on the Atlantic coast.* 
 It is a western species and replaces the common Brant on the 
 west coast where it is abundant. Mr. MacFarlane found it 
 breeding near the Arctic Ocean. The ne.st is described as being 
 a mere depression in the ground, but usually lined with down ; 
 the eggs are from five to seven and dull white in color. 
 
 * III tlio sjiring ol' l^^i I saw a liii-il ol' tliis t^pecics in thf. Jlewh which had been shot near Chatham, Mass. 
 (Auk, 1»84, p. %.) 
 
? I 
 
 t/3 ^ 
 
 en 
 m 
 
88 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 PHILACTE CANAGICA {Sfvas/). 
 
 Emperor Qoose. 
 
 Ailult : Head and bae-k ot neck, white, soinetimes tinged witli rustj' brown or orantje brown ; 
 tliroat, brownish gray, dotted more or less with white; general plumage, slaty gray, the 
 featliers tipped with ashy white and showing a subterminal band of l)rown, darker on the 
 
 ^/^3 
 
 J'llilactl' r:tJKlj;:ica. 
 
 back than on tlie under part^ : greater portion ol outer tail feathers, white; iimer featliers, 
 hoary gray, edged with white; axillars, lioary gray, sometimes tipjM'd with dull white. 
 
 \\^iug, l.T.7.5; tarsus, 2. .50; bill (cuhnun), 1 ..5.5 ; bill (nostril to tip), 1 inch; bill (angle of 
 mouth to tip), 1.87; feet, flesh color; eye, dark l)rowTi. 
 
 J/ahiktt : "Coast and islands of Alaska north of the peninsula, cliiefly about Norton 
 Sound and th(! valley of the Lower Yukon, C'omniander Islands, Kamchatka, casually south- 
 wai-d to Humboldt Bay, California." (A. O. l'.) 
 
 The Euiperor Goose breeds in Alaska, where it is alnindaut in many locali- 
 ties. The nest is placed on the ground, the eggs are white, usually discolored 
 with more or less brown. 
 
I)L)C:KS, geese and S\\-ANS of NOKTJI AiMEHIOA. 
 
 89 
 
 DENDROCYQNA AUTUMNALIS {Linn). 
 Black-bellied Tree-Duck. 
 
 Adnlt : Forelieiul, tawny lirown, shading into blacli on tlie occiput, forming' a black stripe 
 whicli continues down tlie liack of the necl<. Sides of head and upper neck, brownish gray; 
 throat, grayisli white ; lower neck, breast, and upper back, pale chestnut brown ; some of the 
 feathers washed with gray; under tail coverts, black and white; rest of under parts, black ; 
 under surface of wing, black; axillars, smoky black; greater i)(>rtion of primaries, dull 
 black; the outer webs of inner primaries and secondaries, partl_v white (all except the two 
 outer feathers) ; bill, coral red or flesh color tinged with orange: above nail, blackish; legs 
 and feet, pinkish white or pale flesh color. The sexes are alike. 
 
 Wing, O.SO; tarsus. 1.S5; bill (culmen), l.SO; bill (angle of moulli to tip), 2. 
 
 T>en<lro^'>'giia autunill;ilis. 
 
 The Black-bellied Tree-Duck rangers from Southern Texas and .Southern 
 California to Mexico, and Central America, being replaced in Soitth America 
 by a variety, D. aulnmnali» dixcoJor. It does not occur in Eastern North 
 America. 
 
 It breeds commonly in Mexico, the eggs being laid in a hollow tree, usu- 
 al! \' from twelve to sixteen in number and yellowish white, or greenish white. 
 It is also said to breed in Trinidad, where it is cluimed to be common. 
 
90 
 
 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AAIERICA. 
 
 DENDROCGYNA FULVA {GmeL). 
 Fulvous Tree-duck. 
 
 Adult: Top of head, dark ln'owii ; a black stripe down the back of the neck; sides of 
 head and neck, tawny l)rown ; tliroat, brownisli white i lower part <jf neck, flnelj^ mottled 
 white, and smoky black; breast and entire under parts, buft' brown, or fulvous browu ; under 
 rail coverts, butty white : l)ack, black, the feathers, tipped with rufous brown ; wings, black ; 
 upper tail coverts, white; bill, bluish black; legs, bluish slate color in life ; in dried skin, 
 bill and feet, black. The sexes are similar. 
 
 AVing. S.JiO; tarsus. 1.S0; bill. 1.80 (culmeu) ; angle of mouth, 2.1(t. 
 
 Dondrocvgna lulva. 
 
 Gi-orirn/ihiciil (Ihtrilmiiini : Southern l)ordcr of the TTnited States (l.ouisiana, Texas. Nevada. 
 ( 'aliforniaj. south to jMexico, reai)pearing in Southern lirazil and Argentine Republic, 
 ('asual in Xorth ('aroliiia and ^Missouri. (A. (). IJ.) 
 
 This is a fresh water species freiiucntino' inland lakes and ponds. It 
 lireeds in California. Texas, and Mexico. The co'gs are usaall_y from ten to 
 tifteen in luiniher and are descril)e(l as heino- wliite, or cream wdtite. 
 
DrCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEKlflA. 
 
 91 
 
 Subfamily CYGNIN^E. Swans. 
 
 Genus OLOR Wagler. 
 
 OLOR COLUflBlANUS (On/.). 
 
 Whistling Swan. 
 
 Adult: (JiMioral i>lviiiianp, wliilc; bill and feet, lilaek ; a small yellow spot on bare loral 
 skin at the base of the bill in front of the eye, which is not always present ; iJie di.itifm-r /mm 
 tJif'.froiil nnijlc of Uic ojc lo Ihc hack edije of thr iioalril is more Ihoii Ihi' distiince from the huck rdijr 
 of the no.itril to the and of thi- hill ; this is one of the characters hy whieli it may he always ilis- 
 tiiiouislied from the Trumpeter Swan; bill and feet, black. 
 
 Olor Ctiluinbianus. 
 
 The immature birds are usually pale, plumlieous g'ray, with a brownish wash ou the head 
 and ujiper neck; feet, pale yellowish, sometimes pale flesh color or o'l'ayish. 
 
 I.(Uigth, 58; wing, 21.50; liill, 4; tarsus, 4.20. 
 
 Ilnhitat : " The whole of Xorth America, breeding- tar north, < oiiiniander Islands, Kam- 
 chatka, accidental in Scotland."" (A. (). V .) 
 
92 DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 The Whistling Swan is common in winter on the Atlantic coast about the 
 Carolinas and Virginia, and occasionally wanders as far south as Florida and 
 the Gulf of Mexico. It breeds in the for north, the nest being composed of 
 leaves and grass and placed on the ground. The eggs, which are from three 
 to five, are dull white. 
 
 OLOR BUCCINATOR {Rich). 
 
 Trumpeter Swan. 
 
 Adult : General plumage, white ; bare loral skin in front of eye, not yellow ; bill and feet, 
 black; the distance from the front angle of the eye to the hack edge of the nostril is equal or less 
 than the distance from the hack edge of the nostril to the end of the hill. 
 
 Immature birds are ashy gray, often tinged with brownish on the head and necli ; bill and 
 feet, dull yellowish brown, tinged with olive. 
 
 Habitat: "Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf to the fur countries, 
 breeding from Iowa and the Dakotas northward, west to the Pacific coast ; rare or casual on 
 the Atlantic." (A. O. U.) 
 
 The eggs of the Trumpeter Swan are soiled white, and usually from three 
 to six in number. The nest, which is placed on the ground, is composed of 
 grass lined with down. 
 
 The Whooping Swan, Olor cygnus {Linn.), is occasionally found in Green- 
 land, but has not been recorded elsewhere in North America. 
 
 It is described as having ihe base of the mandible and the entire bare loral 
 skin yellow. 
 
IlsTIDE^?: 
 
 A merican Merganser 
 Widgeon .... 
 Scaup Duck . 
 Scoter . . , , 
 
 Golden Kyc . . 
 
 Eider . 
 
 White-fronted Goose 
 Anas . . . 
 
 aniericana 
 
 Ijoschas 
 
 carolinensis . 
 
 cyanoptera 
 
 discors . . 
 
 fulvigula . . . 
 " maculosa 
 
 obscura 
 
 penelope . . 
 
 strcpera 
 A user 
 
 albifrons ganibcli 
 Auseres . 
 Auserinas . 
 
 chen . 
 Aix . . 
 
 sponsa 
 ArctonettJi . 
 
 lisherii brandt . . 
 Aythya . . 
 
 americana , 
 
 aflinis . . 
 
 collaris . 
 
 niarila nearcticii 
 
 vallisneria . . 
 
 Baldpate . , 
 Barrow's Golden Eye 
 Black Duck 
 Black-head . 
 Black Coot ... 
 Black Brant . . . 
 Black-bellied Tree Duck 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ;i7 
 
 45 
 
 56 
 74 
 59 
 
 83 
 41 
 4.'. 
 41 
 47 
 4'J 
 4S 
 4:i 
 44 
 42 
 4(i 
 44 
 83 
 83 
 37 
 80 
 SO 
 
 oS 
 56 
 
 Blue-hill. . 
 Broad-bill 
 Bu file -he ad 
 Butter-ball . 
 Butter-bill . 
 Bull Neck . 
 Brant . . 
 Branta . 
 
 canadensis 
 
 hutchiusii 
 
 iiccidentalis 
 
 minima 
 
 leucopsis . 
 bernicla 
 nigricans . 
 
 Camptolahnus 
 
 labradoriii!? . 
 Canvas-back Duck . 
 Canada Goose 
 Charitonetta . 
 
 albeola 
 Chaulelasmus 
 Chen .... 
 
 hyperborea . . . 
 " nivalis 
 
 rossii . . . 
 Cinnamon Teal . 
 Clangula . . . 
 
 hyemalis . . 
 Creek Duck 
 Cygniuie . . 
 
 4S 
 
 Daflla . 
 
 liO 
 
 acuta . 
 
 4-2 
 
 Dendrocygna 
 
 56 
 
 autnmnalis 
 
 74 
 
 fiilva 
 
 S7 
 
 Dipper . . 
 
 S9 
 
 Dusky Duck 
 
 PAGE 
 
 . 56, 57 
 50 
 61 
 61 
 
 74 
 
 84 
 84 
 84 
 
 85 
 
 62 
 62 
 54 
 84 
 61 
 61 
 44 
 80 
 80 
 81 
 82 
 49 
 64 
 64 
 44 
 91 
 
 51 
 51 
 89 
 89 
 90 
 61 
 42 
 
94 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 English Duck 
 Eniconetta 
 
 stelleri . . 
 European Teal 
 
 Widgeon . 
 
 Barnacle Goose 
 Erismatura 
 
 rubida . . 
 Emperor Goose . 
 
 Florida Black Duck 
 Fulvous Tree-duck 
 
 Ciadwall . 
 
 Glaucionetta . 
 
 clangula americana 
 islandica . . . 
 
 Goosander . 
 
 Golden Eye 
 
 Gray Duck . 
 
 Green Head . . . 
 
 Green-winged Teal 
 
 Greater Snow Goose . 
 
 H. 
 
 Hairy Crown . 
 Harlequin Duck 
 Histrionicus . 
 histrionicue 
 Hooded Merganser 
 Hutchins' Goose 
 
 King Eider Duck 
 
 Labrador Duck . . 
 Lesser Scaup Duck 
 Lesser Snow Goose 
 Long-tailed Duck . 
 Lophodytes 
 cucuUatus 
 
 Mallard . . . 
 
 Mareca . 
 
 Masked Duck . 
 
 Melanitta . 
 
 Merganser . 
 americaniis 
 Hooded . 
 
 PAGK 
 
 41 
 
 73 
 73 
 49 
 16 
 
 85 
 78 
 78 
 
 43 
 
 90 
 
 44 
 S9 
 59 
 60 
 37 
 60 
 44 
 41 
 47 
 81 
 
 39 
 66 
 
 39 
 
 84 
 
 K. 
 
 62 
 
 57 
 
 80 
 
 ... 64 
 
 . . 39 
 
 . . 39 
 
 M. 
 
 41 
 
 45 
 
 79 
 
 75 
 
 37 
 
 37 
 
 39 
 
 Merganser — Coiitiiiaed. 
 
 Bed-breasted 
 
 serrator . 
 Mottled Black Duck . 
 
 N. 
 
 Nettion 
 
 Northern Eider Duck 
 Nomonyx 
 dominicus 
 
 Oidemia . 
 
 americana 
 
 deglandi . 
 
 perspicillata . 
 Old Squaw . 
 Old Wife . . . 
 Olor . 
 
 columbianus . 
 
 buccinator 
 
 Pacilic Eider 
 Pelionetta . 
 Pied Duck . . 
 Pintail . . 
 Philacte canagica 
 
 Querquedula . 
 
 o. 
 
 R. 
 
 Red-breasted Merganser 
 Ked-head Duck . . 
 River Ducks 
 Ring-neck Duck 
 Ruddy Duck 
 Kuss' Goose 
 
 Sea Duck . 
 Sea Coot 
 Scaup Duck . 
 Sheldrake . 
 Skunk-head Coot . 
 Spatula . . 
 
 clypeata 
 Somateria . . 
 
 molllssima borealis 
 
 dresser! . . . . 
 
 v-nigra^. . 
 
 PAGE 
 38 
 38 
 44 
 
 47 
 68 
 7i) 
 
 64 
 64 
 91 
 91 
 93 
 
 62 
 51 
 
 88 
 
 48 
 
 53 
 41 
 58 
 
 . 68, 69 
 77 
 . .56, 57 
 . 37, 38 
 77 
 50 
 50 
 68 
 
 ,70 
 
INDEX. 
 
 95 
 
 Somatetla— Continued. page 
 
 spectaWlis ''^ 
 
 South Southerly .... ■ • ^ 
 
 Spirit Duck ... . ■ 61 
 
 Slioveller .50 
 
 Spectacled Eider .... • • ^^ 
 
 Sprigtail . • ^1 
 
 Steller's Duck .... .73 
 
 Summer Duck . ^^ 
 
 Surl Scoter . . ''' 
 
 Teal, Blue- winged . 
 European . 
 
 48 
 49 
 
 Teal — Continued. 
 Green-winged 
 Cinnamon 
 
 Trvimpeter Swan 
 
 Widgeon, American 
 
 European 
 Wood Duck 
 Whistler . . . 
 White-winged Scoter 
 
 " Coot 
 White-cheeked Goose 
 Whistling Swan . 
 
 w. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 47 
 49 
 
 45 
 46 
 
 59 
 
 76 
 76 
 
A New Book for the Sportsman and Naturalist. 
 
 HUNTING AND FISHING 
 IN FLORIDA. 
 
 Including a Key to the Water Birds known to occur in the State. 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES B. CORY, 
 
 Curator of the department of Ornithology in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, 111. 
 
 Describing the author's various hunting and fishing experiences during many years 
 in Florida, often in company with the Seminole Indians. Profusely illustrated, includ- 
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 hunting and fishing grounds, and how to reach them. 240 cuts and two full-page 
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 BOSTON, U. S. A., 1896. 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. — Manners and Customs. Green Corn Dance. Cloth- 
 ing and Ornaments. Methods of Hunting.' Location of Villages. History. 
 Vocabulary. THE FLORIDA PANTHER. A PANTHER HUNT. THE 
 BLACK BEAR. DEER. ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES. TURKEYS. 
 TARPON FISHING. THE HUNTING AND FISHING GROUNDS OF 
 FLORIDA. THE MAMMALS OF FLORIDA. REMARKS ON SOME OF 
 THE FLORIDA SNAKES. KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 
 The Key alone contains some 1 70 illustrations. 
 
 Qifarto Bound in Cloth. Price, $2.^0 Net. 
 
Works on Ornithology, 
 
 by 
 
 Charles B. Cory, 
 
 How to Know the Shore Birds {Limicold) of North America. 
 
 This book is intended to meet the , wants of a large number of persons, especially 
 sportsmen, who are interested in birds and would like to know their names, but often 
 find it no easy task to identify them by the " bird books." The species are grouped 
 ACCORDING TO SIZE in the Key. The work is profusely illustrated. 
 
 Price, in paper ... ..... 75 cents. 
 
 How to Know the Ducks^ Geese and Swans of North America. 
 
 A companion volume to the Shore Birds. Fully illustrated. 
 
 Price, in paper ^i.oo. 
 
 A Naturalist in the Magdalen Islands. 
 
 Giving description of the islands and list of the birds taken there, with other orni- 
 thological notes One vol., small quarto, illustrated. Boston, U. S. A., 1878. 
 
 Price . . . . . ■ . Si. 50. 
 
 The Birds of the Bahama Islands. 
 
 Containing many species new to the islands, together with a number of undescribed 
 winter plumages of North American birds. Illustrated with eight full-page plates. One 
 vol., large quarto. Boston, U. S. A., 1880. 
 
 Price . . Jy.oo. 
 
 Revised edition of same. Boston, U. S. A., 1890. 
 
 Price . . S7.00. 
 
WORKS ON ORNITHOLOGY. 
 
 The Beautiful and Curious Birds of the World. 
 
 A superb work, complete in seven parts (atlas folio), illustrated with twenty plates 
 (21 by 27 ins.), beautifully colored, each plate finished by hand in water colors. The 
 plates represent a series of beautiful and curious birds, extinct and living. Among the 
 species illustrated are : Birds of Paradise, Dodo, Great Auk, Apteryx, Labrador Duck, 
 California Condor, Sacred Ibis, etc., etc. Each plate is accompanied by descriptive 
 text. The edition was limited to two hundred copies and the stones were destroyed 
 after that number were printed. Less than twenty perfect sets now remain unsold. 
 Boston, U. S. A., 1883. 
 
 Price, in parts . ... . . ^75. 00. 
 
 Bound in Levant ........ ^95.00. 
 
 The Birds of Haiti and San Domingo. 
 
 Containing twenty-two full-page plates colored by hand in water colors. Large 
 quarto, bound in cloth. The edition was limited to three hundred copies. Boston, 
 U. S. A., 1885. 
 
 Price ^20.00. 
 
 A List of the Birds of the West Indies. 
 
 New edition, revised and enlarged. One vol., boards. Boston, U. S. A., 1886 
 Price ^i.oo. 
 
 The Birds of the West Indies. 
 
 Including all species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater and Lesser 
 Antilles, excepting the islands of Tobago and Trinidad. The only exhaustive work on 
 the birds of the West Indies that has yet been published. Illustrated with map and 
 numerous cuts. One vol., large quarto, bound in cloth. Boston, U. S. A., 1889. 
 
 Price . . . . • . %.oo. 
 
 Catalogue of West Indian Birds. 
 
 Containing a list of all species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater 
 Antilles, the Caymans, and the Lesser Antilles, excepting the islands of Tobago and 
 Trinidad, map. One vol., large quarto, bound in cloth. Boston, U. S. A., 1892. 
 
 Price ^2.50. 
 
WORKS ON ORNITHOLOGY. 
 
 Hunting and Fishing in Florida. 
 
 Including a key to the water birds of the State, illustrated with more than two 
 hundred cuts and two full-page photogravures Quarto, bound in cloth Boston, 
 U. S. A., 1896. 
 
 Price . . ... . . ^2.50. 
 
 Key to the Water Birds of Florida. 
 
 Giving a description of all the water birds known to occur in the State. Illustrated 
 with numerous cuts representing nearly every species. Boston, U. S. A., 1896. 
 
 Price, paper .... .... ^1.50. 
 
 Cloth 81.75. 
 
 A List o f the Birds of Eastern North America. 
 
 Boston, 1896. 
 
 Price ... . . 50 cents. 
 
 A List of the Birds of Florida. 
 
 Boston, i8g6. 
 
 Price . • • • • ■ 35 cents. 
 
 The above works may be obtained from LITTLE, BROWN & CO., 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 R. H. PORTER, 18 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, London, England. 
 
 In course of preparation, 
 
 THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.^