Chapter 13

398. 3. Fuligula Marila,Linn.Scaup Duck.—Flocking Fowl.

Plate CCXXIX.Male and Female.

Bill as long as the head, enlarged toward the end; tail much rounded, of fourteen feathers. Male with the bill light greyish-blue, the unguis blackish; head, neck, and fore part of the back and breastblack, the head and neck glossed with purple and green, the rest tinged with brown; hind part of back, rump, abdomen, and upper and lower tail-coverts brownish-black; middle of back, scapulars, inner secondaries, anterior part of abdomen, and sides greyish-white, beautifully marked with undulating black lines; wings light brownish-grey; alula, primaries, at the base and end, brownish-black; speculum white, as are the middle of the breast, the axillars, and some of the lower wing-coverts. Female with the head, neck, and fore part of the back and breast, umber-brown; a broad patch of white along the fore part of the forehead; upper parts in general blackish-brown, the middle of the back and the scapulars faintly undulated with whitish dots and lines; primary quills greyish in the middle; speculum dull white; the greater part of the breast and abdomen white, the sides and parts under the tail umber-brown.

Male, 161/2, 29.Female, 161/2, 28.

Abundant during autumn on the Ohio and its tributaries, as well as those of the Missouri and the Mississippi. Rather common also along the Middle Atlantic Districts. Breeds far north.

Scaup Duck, Anas Marila,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 84.Fuligula Marila, Scaup Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 456.Scaup Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 437.Scaup Duck, Fuligula Marila,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 226; v. v. p. 614.

Scaup Duck, Anas Marila,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 84.

Fuligula Marila, Scaup Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 456.

Scaup Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 437.

Scaup Duck, Fuligula Marila,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 226; v. v. p. 614.

399. 4. Fuligula rufitorques,Bonap.Ring-necked Duck.

Plate CCXXXIV.Male and Female.

Bill about the same length as the head, a little enlarged toward the end; tail much rounded, of sixteen feathers; occiput slightly crested. Male with the bill black, with a basal and subterminal line bluish-white; head and upper part of neck greenish-black, with purple reflections; a very narrow brownish-red collar; lower part of neck all round, as well as the back, scapulars, smaller wing-coverts, and rump above and below, brownish-black; inner secondaries of the same colour, outer bluish-grey on the outer web, light brown on the inner, as are the primaries, of which the outer webs and tips are dark brown; tail brownish-grey; chin white; breast greyish-white; sides and abdomen greyish-white, minutely undulated with grey. Female with the bill dusky, the neck umber-brown, upper part of head darker, back blackish-brown, speculum bluish-grey as in the male; breast brownish-white; loral space and chin pale brown; sides and abdomen dark umber-brown.

Male, 18, 28.Female, 16.

Abundant on the Ohio during autumn, winter, and early spring; rather rare along the coasts of the Middle Atlantic Districts. Breeds far north.

Fuligula rufitorques,Bonap.Syn. p. 393.Tufted Duck, Anas Fuligula,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 60.

Fuligula rufitorques,Bonap.Syn. p. 393.

Tufted Duck, Anas Fuligula,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 60.

Ring-necked Duck, Anas (Fuligula) rufitorques,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 453.Ring-necked Duck, Fuligula rufitorques,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 439.Ring-necked Duck, Fuligula rufitorques,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 259.

Ring-necked Duck, Anas (Fuligula) rufitorques,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 453.

Ring-necked Duck, Fuligula rufitorques,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 439.

Ring-necked Duck, Fuligula rufitorques,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 259.

** Bill very broad, much flattened, the unguis abruptly curved backwards.

400. 5. Fuligula rubida,Wils.Ruddy Duck.

Plate CCCXLIII.Male, Female, and Young.

Tail short, much graduated, of eighteen stiff, narrow feathers; plumage of lower parts stiff and glossy. Male with the bill light greyish-blue; upper part of head and nape deep bluish-black; a large white patch on each side of the head, from the bill to behind the ear; neck all round, all the upper parts, and sides glossy chestnut-red; lower parts greyish-white, tinged with brown, and marked with transverse interrupted bands of dusky; wing-coverts, quills, and tail-feathers blackish-brown. Female with the bill darker, the crown, and all the upper parts dark reddish-brown, minutely dotted and undulated with dusky; lower parts duller, but similarly marked; throat, and a band from the base of the upper mandible to beneath the eye, brownish-white. Young, in second plumage, reddish-brown above, barred with dusky; wings and tail dark greyish-brown; cheeks, fore part and sides of neck, and all the lower parts dull yellowish-white, undulated with dusky, as in the rump above; lower tail-coverts white.

Male, 143/4, 211/2.

Ruddy Duck, Anas rubida,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 137.Fuligula rubida,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.Fuligula rubida, Ruddy Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 455.Ruddy Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 426.Ruddy Duck, Fuligula rubida,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 326.

Ruddy Duck, Anas rubida,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 137.

Fuligula rubida,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.

Fuligula rubida, Ruddy Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 455.

Ruddy Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 426.

Ruddy Duck, Fuligula rubida,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 326.

*** Bill semicylindrical, at the end enlarged by soft membranous expansions, the unguis broadly obovate and incurved.

401. 6. Fuligula Labradora,Lath.Pied Duck.

Plate CCCXXXII.Male and Female.

Bill nearly as long as the head; tail much rounded, of fourteen tapering feathers. Male with the bill pale greyish-blue at the base above, dull orange on the sides, black toward the end; head and upper half of neck white, except an elongated patch of black on the crown and nape; below the middle of the neck a black ring, from the hind part of which proceeds a longitudinal band of the same colour, gradually becoming wider on the back and rump; below the black ring anteriorly, a broad band of white, including the scapulars; all the under parts black, excepting the axillaries and lower wing-coverts, which are white, as are the upper wing-coverts and secondary quills,some of the inner secondaries having a narrow external black margin; alula, primary coverts, and primary quills brownish-black; tail brownish-black, tinged with grey; upper tail-coverts dusky, minutely dotted with reddish-brown. Female brownish-grey, darker on the head, cheeks, back, rump, and abdomen, lighter on the throat, breast, wing-coverts, and inner secondaries, which latter are margined externally with black; seven or eight of the secondaries white, as are the sides of the forehead.

Male, 20, 30.Female, 181/4, 29.

Along the shores of the Atlantic from Nova Scotia to New Jersey, rather rare, in winter. Breeds from Labrador northward. Never seen in the interior.

Pied Duck, Anas labradora,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 91.Fuligula labradora,Bonap.Syn. p. 391.Pied Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 428.Pied Duck, Fuligula labradora,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 271.

Pied Duck, Anas labradora,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 91.

Fuligula labradora,Bonap.Syn. p. 391.

Pied Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 428.

Pied Duck, Fuligula labradora,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 271.

**** Bill about the length of the head, very broad; upper mandible with a prominence at the base above, and two lateral protuberances; unguis very large, slightly arched.

402. 7. Fuligula fusca,Linn.Velvet Duck.

Bill with an abrupt prominence in front, the lateral protuberances covered with feathers; tail wedge-shaped, of fourteen stiff, narrow feathers. Male with the basal prominence and sides at the base black, toward the end bright red; unguis flesh-coloured, with a black line on each side; feet carmine on the outer, orange-red on the inner side, webs greyish-black; plumage brownish-black, glossed with blue above, lighter beneath; outer secondary quills and a spot beneath the eye white. Female with the bill dusky, its basal prominence slight; plumage sooty-brown, breast and abdomen lighter; two whitish spots on each side of the head; outer secondary quills white, as in the male.

Male, 22, 39.Female, 22, 38.

From the coast of Georgia eastward to Nova Scotia, during winter, when it is extremely abundant in all the estuaries and bays. Breeds from Labrador northward.

Velvet Duck, Anas fusca,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 137.Fuligula fusca,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.Oidemia fusca, Velvet Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 449.Velvet Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 419.Velvet Duck, Fuligula fusca,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 354.

Velvet Duck, Anas fusca,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 137.

Fuligula fusca,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.

Oidemia fusca, Velvet Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 449.

Velvet Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 419.

Velvet Duck, Fuligula fusca,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 354.

403. 8. Fuligula perspicillata,Linn.Surf Duck.

Plate CCCXVII.Male and Female.

Bill with a gently sloping prominence in front, the lateral protuberances bare; tail wedge-shaped, of fourteen stiff narrow feathers. Male with the bill deep reddish-orange, bluish-white on the sides, witha black patch, the unguis greyish-yellow; tarsi and toes orange-red, webs dusky; plumage deep black, glossed with blue; a white patch on the top of the head, and another on the nape. Female with the bill greenish-black; the plumage brownish-black, darker on the top of the head, back, wings, and tail.

Male, 20, 331/2.Female, 19, 311/2.

Abundant from Nova Scotia to Maryland during winter, and removing southward to the mouth of the Mississippi in severe weather. Never seen in the interior. Breeds from Labrador northwards.

Black or Surf Duck, Anas perspicillata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 49.Fuligula perspicillata,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.Oidemia perspicillata, Surf Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 449.Black or Surf Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 416.Surf Duck, Fuligula perspicillata,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 161.

Black or Surf Duck, Anas perspicillata,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 49.

Fuligula perspicillata,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.

Oidemia perspicillata, Surf Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 449.

Black or Surf Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 416.

Surf Duck, Fuligula perspicillata,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 161.

404. 9. Fuligula Americana,Swains.American Scoter Duck.

Plate CCCCVIII.Male and Female.

Bill a little shorter than the head, with an obtuse prominence at the base of the upper mandible; tail graduated, acuminate, of sixteen pointed feathers; first quill with the inner web extremely attenuated. Male with the bill black, the basal prominence rich orange; feet brownish-black; the general colour of the plumage black, on the lower parts tinged with brown, the inner webs of the quills brownish-grey. Female with the bill brownish-black, and having scarcely any protuberance at the base; the upper parts light sooty-brown, the lower light brownish-grey.

This species differs very little fromFuligula nigra, being nearly of the same size, proportions, and colours. The male differs from that of the other species in having the sides of the unguis narrowed, and the orange patch on the upper mandible less extended beyond the nostrils, and destitute of the median black line and lateral streak.

Male, 19, 331/2.Female, 17, 291/2.

In winter abundant in the Bays of Boston, New York, and Chesapeake, and as far south as the mouth of the Mississippi. Never inland. Breeds from Labrador to the Arctic seas.

Scoter Duck, Anas nigra,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 135.Fuligula nigra,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.Oidemia americana, Swains. American Scoter,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 450.American Scoter Duck, Fuligula americana,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 422.American Scoter Duck, Fuligula americana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 117.

Scoter Duck, Anas nigra,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 135.

Fuligula nigra,Bonap.Syn. p. 390.

Oidemia americana, Swains. American Scoter,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 450.

American Scoter Duck, Fuligula americana,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 422.

American Scoter Duck, Fuligula americana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 117.

***** Bill shorter than the head, with a basal protuberance above, the inner secondaries curved outwards.

405. 10. Fuligula spectabilis,Linn.King Duck.

Plate CCLXXVI.Male and Female.

Upper mandible with a soft tumid compressed substance at the base, extending perpendicularly upon the forehead, and by a medial band of feathers divided into two broad lobes; tail much rounded, of fourteen stiff feathers. Male with the bill flesh-coloured. The sides of the upper mandible and soft frontal lobes bright orange; band of feathers separating the frontal lobes and margining their upper and posterior edges, lower eyelid, and a forked patch on the throat, black; upper part of head ash-grey; hair-like feathers on the sides of the head pale bluish-green; fore neck cream-coloured; sides and hind part of neck, a patch on the wings, and another on each side of the rump, white; hind part of back, scapulars, large wing-coverts, and secondary quills, brownish-black, the latter glossed with green; primary quills and tail blackish-brown; breast and abdomen blackish-brown; lower wing-coverts white, the outer brown. Female with the bill shorter, pale greenish-grey, with the tumid basal lobes scarcely apparent, so that the forehead is low; head and neck pale greyish-yellow, with small lines of brownish-black; feathers of the back brownish-black towards the end, with yellowish-grey edges; the scapulars brownish-red on the margins; quills and tail-feathers deep greyish-brown; fore part of neck, breast, sides, and lower tail-coverts, with a central mark and submarginal band of brownish-black, the middle of the breast scarcely spotted, being of the general colour of the lower parts, which is pale yellowish-brown.

Male, 25; wing, 111/4.Female, 20; wing, 101/2.

Rare in Massachusetts during winter. Breeds from Labrador to the Arctic Seas.

Fuligula spectabilis,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.Somateria spectabilis, King Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 447.King Duck, Fuligula spectabilis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 414.King Duck, Fuligula spectabilis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 523.

Fuligula spectabilis,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.

Somateria spectabilis, King Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 447.

King Duck, Fuligula spectabilis,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 414.

King Duck, Fuligula spectabilis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 523.

406. 11. Fuligula mollissima,Linn.Eider Duck.

Plate CCXLVI.Male and Female.

Male with the bill nearly as long as the head, greyish-yellow, the upper mandible with a soft tumid substance at the base, extending upon the forehead, and deeply divided into two narrow rounded lobes, its whole surface marked with divergent oblique lines; tail much rounded, of sixteen narrow feathers; the upper part of the head bluish-black, with the central part white; the hair-like feathers on the upper part and sides of the neck of a delicate pale green; sides of the head, throat, and neck white; fore neck at its lower part cream-coloured; the rest of the lower surface brownish-black, as are the upper tail-coverts, and the central part of the rump; the rest of the back, scapulars, smaller wing-coverts, and inner curved secondary quills white, the scapulars tinged with yellow; secondary coverts andouter secondaries brownish-black; primaries and tail-coverts greyish-brown. Female with the bill shorter, pale greyish-green, its tumid basal part much less and narrower; head and neck all round light brownish-red, with small lines of brownish-black; lower part of neck all round, the whole upper surface, the sides and lower tail-coverts light brownish-red, with transverse brownish-black markings; secondary quills and coverts greyish-brown, tipped with white; primaries brownish-black; tail-feathers greyish-brown; breast and abdomen greyish-brown, obscurely mottled.

Male, 25, 42.Female, 24, 39.

Breeds in Maine, on the Bay of Fundy, in Labrador, Newfoundland, as far northward as travellers have proceeded. Common in winter from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts; rarely seen in New York.

Eider Duck, Anas mollissima,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 122.Fuligula mollissima,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.Somateria mollissima, Eider,Swains. &. Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 448.Eider Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 406.Eider Duck, Fuligula mollissima,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 344; v. v. p. 611.

Eider Duck, Anas mollissima,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 122.

Fuligula mollissima,Bonap.Syn. p. 389.

Somateria mollissima, Eider,Swains. &. Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 448.

Eider Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 406.

Eider Duck, Fuligula mollissima,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 344; v. v. p. 611.

****** Bill much shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, narrowed toward the end.

407. 12. Fuligula Clangula,Linn.Golden-eye Duck.

Plate CCCCIII.Male in summer.Plate CCCXLII.Male and Female in winter.

Plate CCCCIII.Male in summer.

Plate CCCXLII.Male and Female in winter.

Bill shorter than the head, very high at the base; tail short, graduated, of sixteen feathers. Male in summer with the bill black, feet orange-yellow, webs dusky; head and upper part of neck deep greenish-blue, changing to deep dusky purple; back, posterior scapulars, inner secondaries, edge of wing, alula, primary coverts, primary quills, and outer four secondaries black; an oblong curved or semilunar patch of white between the bill and eye; lower part of neck all round, sides of the body anteriorly, lower parts generally, scapulars, excepting their margins, which are black, a broad band across the wing formed by the first row of small coverts, and several of the others, of which the base only is black, and a large patch formed by the tips of some of the secondary coverts, and six of the secondary quills, pure white; the two patches on the wings separated by an intervening band of black; axillar feathers and lower wing-coverts dusky; elongated feathers of the sides with the inner, some of them also the outer margins, and many with a large portion of the tip black, that colour on those of the innermost covering the whole inner webs; tail brownish-grey. Male in winter similar, but with the white patch on the side of the head elliptical, and the black band separating the white patches on the wing not apparent, although seen on turning aside the tips of the smaller coverts. Female with the bill dusky, but having a portion toward the end yellow; head and upper part of neckdull reddish-brown; lower part of the neck and sides of the body brownish-grey, the feathers margined with pale grey, the rest of the lower parts white; upper parts greyish-brown, much darker behind; wings brownish-black, seven of the coverts, unless at the base, white; the small coverts lighter and tipped with grey; tail brownish-grey.

Male, 20, 311/2.Female, 16, 28.

Abundant during winter on all the running streams of the interior, as well as along the Atlantic coast, as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Breeds in high northern latitudes. Accidental in the North-eastern Districts. Rocky Mountains, and Columbia River.

Golden-eye, Anas Clangula,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 62.Fuligula Clangula,Bonap.Syn. p. 393.Clangula vulgaris, Common Golden-eye,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 456.Clangula Barrovii, Rocky-mountain Garrot,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 453.Common Golden-eye,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 441.Golden-eye Duck, Fuligula Clangula,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 318; v. v. p. 105.

Golden-eye, Anas Clangula,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 62.

Fuligula Clangula,Bonap.Syn. p. 393.

Clangula vulgaris, Common Golden-eye,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 456.

Clangula Barrovii, Rocky-mountain Garrot,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 453.

Common Golden-eye,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 441.

Golden-eye Duck, Fuligula Clangula,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 318; v. v. p. 105.

408. 13. Fuligula dispar,Gmel.Western Duck.

Plate CCCCXXX.Male.

Bill shorter than the head, greyish-blue; tail rather short, pointed, of fourteen feathers; upper part of head and broad band surrounding the neck, white; throat and some feathers around the eye black; a light green patch in the loral space, and a transverse patch of the same on the nape, margined behind and laterally with black; a broad band on the neck and the whole of the back velvet-black, with green reflections; smaller wing-coverts white; secondary coverts bluish-black, terminating in a broad white band; elongated secondaries and scapulars with the inner web white, the outer black, with blue reflections; primaries and coverts brownish-black; tail black, as are the lower tail-coverts and abdomen; the breast and sides reddish-buff, fading towards the shoulders and neck into pure white; a bluish-black spot on each side of the lower part of the neck anterior to the wing.

Male, 16; wing, 83/4.

North-west coast.

Anas dispar and Anas Stelleri,Gmel.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 535, 518.Fuligula Stelleri,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.Western Duck, Fuligula dispar,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 253.

Anas dispar and Anas Stelleri,Gmel.Syst. Nat. v. i. p. 535, 518.

Fuligula Stelleri,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.

Western Duck, Fuligula dispar,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 253.

409. 14. Fuligula Albeola,Linn.Buffel-headed Duck.—Spirit Duck. Butter-box. Dipper. Die-dipper. Marrionette.

Plate CCCXXV.Male and Female.

Bill much shorter than the head, light greyish-blue; feet pale flesh-colour;feathers of head and upper part of neck elongated; tail short, graduated, of sixteen feathers; fore part of head of a deep rich green, upper part rich purplish-blue, as are the elongated feathers on the fore part and sides of the neck; the hind part of the latter deep green; a broad band of pure white from one cheek to the other over the occiput; rest of the neck, lower parts, outer scapulars, and a large patch on the wing, including the greater part of the small coverts, and some of the secondary coverts and quills, pure white, the scapulars narrowly margined with black, as are the inner lateral feathers; axillars brownish-black, some of them white on the margin and towards the end; lower wing-coverts brownish-black, the smaller tipped with white; back, inner scapulars, and secondary quills velvet-black; alula, primary coverts, and primary quills deep black; rump gradually fading to greyish-white; tail-feathers brownish-grey, with the tips whitish. Female much smaller, with the feathers of the head not elongated, unless in the median line; bill darker, feet greyish-blue; head, upper part of neck, hind neck, back, and wings, greyish-brown; a short transverse white band from beneath the eye, and a slight speck of the same on the lower eyelid; six of the secondary quills white on the outer web; lower parts white, shaded into light greyish-brown on the sides.

Male, 141/2, 23.Female, 13, 221/4.

Distributed throughout the country and along the Atlantic shores during autumn, winter, and spring. Texas, Upper California, Columbia River. Breeds very far north.

Buffel-headed Duck, Anas albeola,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 51.Fuligula albeola,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.Clangula albeola, Spirit Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 458.Spirit Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 445.Buffel-headed Duck, Fuligula albeola,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 217.

Buffel-headed Duck, Anas albeola,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 51.

Fuligula albeola,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.

Clangula albeola, Spirit Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 458.

Spirit Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 445.

Buffel-headed Duck, Fuligula albeola,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 217.

410. 15. Fuligula histrionica,Linn.Harlequin Duck.

Plate CCXCVII.Male, Female, and Young.

Bill much shorter than the head, comparatively narrow, light yellowish-olive; feet light greyish-blue, the webs dusky; a broad median band from the base of the bill to the occiput bluish-black, margined behind with light yellowish-red, before with white, that colour forming a broad triangular spot on the cheek anterior to the eye; sides of the head and neck all round purplish-blue; a spot of white behind the ear, a curved line on the side of the neck, and a complete ring below the middle of the neck, with a curved band of the same anterior to the wing, all broadly edged with black; fore part of back light purplish-blue, hind part gradually deepening in tint, so as to become almost black, of which colour is the rump all round; scapulars chiefly white; wing-coverts purplish-blue, as are the alula and primary coverts; the quills dark greyish-brown; tail greyish-black; a band of white acrossthe wing, formed by the tips of the secondaries, of which the inner have their outer webs principally of the same colour; fore part of breast purplish-blue, hind part and abdomen greyish-brown, sides light red, generally undulated with dusky; a lateral spot of white near the root of the tail. Female greyish-brown, deeper on the head and rump, lighter on the fore neck, and mottled with greyish-white on the breast; quills dark brown, edged with lighter, tail blackish-grey; a large whitish spot mottled with grey before the eye, and another of a purer white behind the ear; bill and feet dull bluish-grey.

Harlequin Duck, Anas histrionica,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 139.Fuligula histrionica,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.Clangula histrionica, Harlequin Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 459.Harlequin Duck, Fuligula histrionica,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 612; v. v. p. 617.

Harlequin Duck, Anas histrionica,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 139.

Fuligula histrionica,Bonap.Syn. p. 394.

Clangula histrionica, Harlequin Duck,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 459.

Harlequin Duck, Fuligula histrionica,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 612; v. v. p. 617.

411. 16. Fuligula glacialis,Linn.Long-tailed Duck.

Plate CCCXII.Male, Female, and Young.

Male with the bill black in its basal half, orange-yellow towards the end; the scapulars much elongated and tapering, the tail very long, acuminate, of fourteen feathers; a large oblong greyish-white patch on each side of the head from the bill to behind the ear; the upper part of the head and nape black, that colour being narrowed in front by the encroachment of the white patches; neck all round, and anterior half of the breast, dark chocolate; back and wing-coverts brownish-black; scapulars broadly margined with light reddish-brown; quills chocolate, secondaries externally margined with lighter, primaries internally; middle four feathers of the tail brownish-black, the outer two of these margined with white, all the rest white, but the inner with a longitudinal patch of dusky on the outer webs. Male in winter with the head, neck, fore part of back, and scapulars, white; space about the eye pale greyish-red, and a large oblong patch of chocolate-brown on the side of the neck; upper parts including the middle four tail-feathers, brownish-black, but the secondary quills tinged with reddish-brown, and having paler margins; anterior half of breast chocolate-brown, the rest of lower parts and the four lateral tail-feathers white. Female considerably smaller, with the scapulars not elongated, and the tail short and rounded; bill dusky green; head dark greyish-brown, with a patch of greyish-white surrounding the eye, but not extending to the bill; a large patch of the same colour on the side of the neck, the hind part of which is dusky brown, the fore part greyish-brown, the feathers broadly margined with whitish; the upper parts dark greyish-brown, the two lateral tail-feathers edged with white; lower parts white, the feathers under the wings slightly tinged with grey.

Male, 23, 291/2.Female, 153/4, 26.

Breeds from Labrador northward to the Arctic Seas. Abundant during winter along the coasts of the Atlantic Districts to the mouth of the Mississippi. Never in the interior.

Long-tailed Duck, Anas glacialis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 93.Fuligula glacialis,Bonap.Syn. p. 395.Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 460.Long-tailed Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 453.Long tailed Duck, Fuligula glacialis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 103.

Long-tailed Duck, Anas glacialis,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 93.

Fuligula glacialis,Bonap.Syn. p. 395.

Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 460.

Long-tailed Duck,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 453.

Long tailed Duck, Fuligula glacialis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 103.

FAMILY XL. MERGINÆ. MERGANSERS.

Bill rather long, straight, rather slender but strong, tapering, higher than broad at the base, nearly cylindrical toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline sloping gently to the middle, then straight, along the unguis suddenly decurved; the ridge broad and flattened at the base, then convex, the sides sloping, toward the end convex, the edges serrate internally with oblique dentiform lamellæ, the unguis oblong, much curved, abruptly rounded at the end; nasal groove elongated, covered by the soft skin of the bill; lower mandible with the angle very narrow and extended to the unguis, which is obovate, the sides nearly erect, with a long narrow groove, the edges internally serrate, the unguis convex, thick-edged. Head rather large, compressed, oblong; neck of moderate length; body full, depressed, rather elongated. Feet placed far behind, stout; tibia bare for a short space; tarsus very short, compressed, anteriorly covered with small scutella, and another series on the lower half externally. Hind toe very small, with an inferior free membrane; anterior toes half as long again as the tarsus, second shorter than the fourth, which is almost as long as the third, all scutellate, and connected by anteriorly concave webs. Claws rather small, moderately arched, compressed, acute. Plumage moderately full, dense, soft, glossy, blended beneath. Wings of moderate breadth, convex, acute; inner secondaries elongated and tapering. Tail short, much rounded, of more than twelve feathers. Uppermandible with an internal series of small papillæ or laminæ on each side, besides those on the margin. Tongue long, fleshy, emarginate and papillate at the base, tapering, with a double row of slender reversed papillæ along the upper surface, and two lateral series of filaments on each side, the tip lacerated; œsophagus very wide, of nearly uniform diameter; stomach a strong gizzard of moderate or small size, with the lateral muscles thick; epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine long, rather narrow; cœca rather long; cloaca globular. Trachea with one or two extensive dilatations, besides the enormously developed tympanum at the bifurcation; no inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, or in hollow trees. Eggs numerous.

GENUS I. MERGUS,Linn.MERGANSER.

Character as above.

412. 1. Mergus Merganser,Linn.Buff-breasted Merganser or Goosander.

Plate CCCXXXI.Male and Female.

Male with a short longitudinal crest, eighteen tail-feathers, the bill and feet of bright vermilion; the head and upper part of neck greenish-black, splendent, with bright green reflections; lower part of neck all round, and all the under parts of a delicate reddish-buff; sides of rump and part of abdomen greyish-white, finely undulated and dotted with dark grey; some of the lower wing-coverts dusky, the larger coverts grey; fore part of back and inner scapulars glossy black; hind part ash-grey, becoming lighter, and finally undulated on the rump; upper tail-coverts and tail-feathers deep grey; outer scapulars white; a transverse band of black at the base of the wing concealed by the scapulars; wing-coverts white; alula, primary coverts and quills, and a band formed by the base of the first row of large coverts black; secondaries white, six of them margined externally with a black line. Female much smaller, with the crest much longer; the head and upper part of neck brownish-red; throat and lower parts white, the breast and abdomen tinged with buff; upper parts and sides ash-grey; smaller wing-coverts and inner secondaries grey; bases and tips of secondary coverts black, the intermediate part white; middle secondaries white, outer and primaries greyish-black.

Male, 27, 36.Female, 24, 34.

In winter dispersed over the United States, and westward as far as Texas. Breeds from Massachusetts northward, and along the Great Lakes.

Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 68.Mergus Merganser,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.Mergus Merganser, Goosander,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 461.Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 460.Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 261.

Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 68.

Mergus Merganser,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.

Mergus Merganser, Goosander,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 461.

Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 460.

Goosander, Mergus Merganser,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 261.

413. 2. Mergus Serrator,Linn.Red-breasted Merganser.

Plate CCCCI.Male and Female.

Male with an elongated longitudinal double crest, eighteen tail-feathers, bill and feet deep carmine; head and upper part of neck glossy greenish-black, with bright green reflections along the sides, and purplish on the crest; a broad collar of white, succeeded by another of light brownish-red, longitudinally streaked with dusky; lower parts white, except the sides of the body and rump, which are transversely undulated with greyish-black, and the larger wing-coverts, which are ash-grey; fore part of back, and inner scapulars deep black; feathers anterior to the wing white, with a broad margin of black; some of the anterior wing-coverts ash-grey, the rest, the outer scapulars, and the terminal half of the secondary coverts, pure white; basal portion of the latter, primary coverts, and primary quills, black, the latter tinged with brownish-grey; secondaries white, with the base and the outer margin of most black, which colour predominates on the inner; middle and hind part of back ash-grey, undulated with white and dusky; tail brownish-grey. Female with crest shorter, the bill and feet paler; head and fore part of neck light reddish-brown; throat and under part white, excepting the sides and larger wing-coverts, which are brownish-grey; hind neck, back, tail-coverts, tail, scapulars, and wing-coverts brownish-grey; wings greyish-black, with a large white patch, formed by the terminal portions of the secondary coverts, and the greater part of some of the outer secondaries. Young, when fledged, resemble the female. Young, in down, with the head and hind neck reddish-brown, the back greyish-brown, with three white spots on each side, the lower parts greyish-white; a white band from the bill to the eye, a reddish-brown band under the eye, and along the side of the neck; the lower parts greyish-white.

Male, 241/2, 33.Female, 24, 341/2.

From Texas westward to the Columbia River and northward. Common during autumn and spring. Also throughout the United States, and along the Atlantic shores. Breeds from New York to Labrador and the Fur Countries, as well as along the Great Lakes, and on the Rocky Mountains.

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus Serrator,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 91.Mergus Serrator,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus Serrator,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 91.

Mergus Serrator,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.

Mergus Serrator, Red-breasted Merganser,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 462.Red-breasted Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 463.Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus Serrator,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 92.

Mergus Serrator, Red-breasted Merganser,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 462.

Red-breasted Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 463.

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus Serrator,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 92.

414. 3. Mergus cucullatus,Linn.Hooded Merganser.

Plate CCXXXIII.Male and Female.

Male with an elongated, compressed, rounded crest, the tail with eighteen feathers; bill black, feet yellowish-brown; upper part of the head, back, smaller wing-coverts, quills, and tail brownish-black; sides of the head, upper half of neck all round, the broad extremities of the large feathers on the shoulders, the scapulars, inner secondaries, and larger wing-coverts, greenish-black; a broad patch of white behind the eye, very conspicuous in the erected crest; lower part of neck and breast also white, as are the speculum and the central part of the inner secondaries; sides beautifully marked with undulated transverse lines of yellowish-brown and brownish-black; lower tail-coverts whitish, similarly undulated. Female much smaller, with the crest less elongated, and of looser texture; bill brownish-black, towards the base orange; upper part of head, including the crest, yellowish-brown; chin whitish; upper part of neck all round, and sides of head greyish-brown; general colour of the back, upper surface of wings, tail, and sides, blackish-brown, the feathers edged with paler. Young, when fledged, like the female, but with the crest shorter.

Male, 19, 26.Female, 171/2, 24.

Breeds sparingly in South Carolina, along the Mississippi, Ohio, and the Great Lakes, as well as further northward. Abundant, during autumn and winter, on all the western and southern waters; rarer in the Middle Atlantic Districts.

Mergus cucullatus,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.Hooded Merganser, Mergus cucullatus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 79.Mergus cucullatus, Hooded Merganser,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 463.Hooded Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 465.Hooded Merganser, Mergus cucullatus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 246; v. v. p. 619.

Mergus cucullatus,Bonap.Syn. p. 397.

Hooded Merganser, Mergus cucullatus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 79.

Mergus cucullatus, Hooded Merganser,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 463.

Hooded Merganser,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 465.

Hooded Merganser, Mergus cucullatus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 246; v. v. p. 619.

415. 4. Mergus Albellus,Linn.White Merganser.—Smew. White Nun.

Plate CCCXLVII.Male and Female.

Male with a longitudinal crest; tail graduated, of sixteen feathers; bill black, feet livid blue; head, neck, lower parts, scapulars, and a patch on the wing, white; a short band on each side of the hind neck bordering the crest, duck-green; a broad patch on the lore and below the eye, a narrow band across the lower part of the hind neck, formed by single bars near the tips of the feathers, the middle of the back in nearly its whole length, a short transverse bar under the fore edge ofthe wing, the anterior margin to beyond the carpal joint, the outer edge of the scapulars, the primary coverts, secondary coverts, and outer secondary quills, excepting the tip of both, deep black; quills also black, of a less deep tint; hind part of back tinged with grey; rump and tail-feathers dusky grey; sides of body and rump white, finely undulated with blackish-grey. Female much smaller, similarly crested; all the lower parts white, excepting a belt across the lower fore part of the neck, and a narrow portion of the sides, which are pale grey; a patch of brownish-black on the lore and beneath the eye; upper part of head and half of hind neck light reddish-brown; the rest of hind neck and all the upper parts bluish-grey, darker behind, and in the middle of the back approaching to black; tail dusky grey; wings, bill, and feet as in the male.

Male, 171/2, 27.Female, 151/2, 25.

Exceedingly rare in America, one specimen only having been procured at New Orleans.

Smew or White Nun, Mergus Albellus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 126.Mergus Albellus,Bonap.Syn. p. 398.Smew or White Nun,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 467.Smew or White Nun, Mergus Albellus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 350.

Smew or White Nun, Mergus Albellus,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 126.

Mergus Albellus,Bonap.Syn. p. 398.

Smew or White Nun,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 467.

Smew or White Nun, Mergus Albellus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 350.

FAMILY XLI. PELECANINÆ. PELICANS.

Bill longer than the head, rather slender, straight, upper mandible with the ridge separated from the side by a groove, and terminated by a narrow, generally decurved, pointed unguis; lower mandible with the crura elastic and extensile, the angle very long and narrow. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, small, or obsolete. Space around and before the eye generally bare, as is a portion of the gular sac. Head generally of moderate size, but various; neck long; body elongated, rather slender. Feet short and stout; tibia bare at its lower part; tarsus short, very stout, compressed, scaly or scutellate in front; toes four, all connected by webs, and scutellate; first small, fourth longest. Claws short, strong, curved, rather blunt, that of the third toe generally pectinate. Plumage soft, blended, on the back compact and imbricated. Wings long; tail of moderate length, narrow, rounded or tapering. Tongue extremely small, triangular, fleshy; œsophagus excessively wide; a gular sac, sometimesof enormous capacity; proventricular belt generally discontinuous; stomach very small, slightly muscular, epithelium smooth; a globular pyloric lobe; intestine very long and slender; cœca small, cylindrical; cloaca globular. Trachea simple, flattened; no inferior laryngeal muscles.

GENUS I. PHALACROCORAX,Briss.CORMORANT.

Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, nearly straight, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line concave, until on the unguis, where it is decurved, the ridge convex, flattened toward the end, separated from the sides by a narrow groove, the sides convex, the edge sharp and nearly straight as far as the unguis, which is decurved, convex above, acute, its tip ascending far beyond that of the lower; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow towards the end, filled up by an extensile membrane, which extends to the level of the angle of the mouth; the outline of the crura very slightly convex, that of the terminal part descending and very slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip compressed, with its marginal outline decurved. Nostrils obliterated (in youth open). Head rather small, oblong; neck long and rather thick; body full, elongated, depressed. Feet short, stout, placed far behind; tibia feathered in its whole length; tarsus very short, strong, much depressed, covered all round with angular scales; a series on part of the inner side anteriorly, and another on the lower part of the outer, scutelliform. Toes all placed in the same plane, connected by webs, and covered above by very numerous oblique scutella; first the smallest, fourth the longest. Claws rather small, strong, compressed, acute, convex above, arched, that of the third toe pectinated on its inner edge. Plumage soft, generally blended, compact on the back and wings; the small gular sac, and the space before and beneath the eye, with the eyelids, bare. Wings of moderate size, broad; primariescurved, pointed, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, very narrow, much rounded, of twelve or more narrow strong-shafted feathers. Gular sac small; tongue extremely small; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands disposed in two large roundish masses; stomach small, slightly muscular, inner coat smooth and soft; a globular or triangular pyloric lobe; duodenum at first curving upwards; intestine very long, and of moderate width; cœca small; rectum narrow; cloaca globular. Trachea considerably flattened; bronchi of moderate width.

416. 1. Phalacrocorax Carbo,Linn.Great Cormorant.

Plate CCLXVI.Male, Female, and Young.

Tail of fourteen feathers. In summer, a small longitudinal occipital black crest, and numerous linear elongated white feathers on the head and upper part of neck; bill dusky, with the lower mandible whitish toward the base; gular sac yellow; plumage black, glossed with deep greenish-blue; at the base of the gular sac a broad gorgelet of white; a patch of white on the side over the thigh; feathers of wings and part of the back dull bluish-grey, glossed with bronze, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills greyish-black, secondary like the other wing-feathers; tail greyish-black; shafts of all the feathers black at the end, leaden-grey towards the base. Female similar. After the breeding season the white feathers on the head and sides fall off. Young, before being fledged, with the skin dull livid, the bill dusky, at the base flesh-coloured, the feet purplish-dusky, the webs yellowish-brown.

Male, 37, 62.

Ranges during winter southward to New York. Abundant from Massachusetts eastward. Breeds on high precipitous rocks, in Newfoundland, Labrador, and Baffin's Bay. Migratory.

Phalacrocorax Carbo,Bonap.Syn. p. 402.Cormorant,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 479.Common Cormorant. Phalacrocorax Carbo,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 458.

Phalacrocorax Carbo,Bonap.Syn. p. 402.

Cormorant,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 479.

Common Cormorant. Phalacrocorax Carbo,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 458.

417. 2. Phalacrocorax dilophus,Swains.Double-crested Cormorant.

Plate CCLVII.Male.

Tail of twelve feathers. In summer an elongated tuft of about forty long, slender, loose, recurved feathers, from behind the eye to the length of an inch and a half on each side; upper mandible dusky, along the edges greenish-yellow, lower yellow, irregularly marked with duskytoward the edges; bare space on the head, and gular sac rich orange; plumage greenish-black, strongly glossed with green; imbricated feathers on the back and wings greyish-brown, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills brownish-black, secondary like the other wing-feathers; tail black; the shafts of all the feathers black. Female similar to the male. After the breeding season the tufts disappear. Young after the first moult have the head and neck mottled with greenish-black and greyish-brown, the other parts as in the adult, but the tufts on the head wanting.

Male, 33, 51.

Common as far south as the coast of Maryland, in winter. Breeds in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as on the Saskatchewan.

Pelecanus (Carbo) dilophus, Double-crested Cormorant,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 473.Double-crested Cormorant,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 483.Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax dilophus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 420; v. v. p. 629.

Pelecanus (Carbo) dilophus, Double-crested Cormorant,Swains. & Rich.F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 473.

Double-crested Cormorant,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 483.

Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax dilophus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 420; v. v. p. 629.

418. 3. Phalacrocorax Floridanus,Aud.Florida Cormorant.

Plate CCLI.Male.

Tail of twelve feathers. In summer an elongated series of about forty linear feathers directed backwards, commencing behind the eye, and extending to the length of an inch and a half on each side; upper mandible black, along the basal margin bright blue, lower bright blue, spotted with white; bare space on the head and gular sac rich orange; plumage greenish-black, strongly glossed with green; imbricated feathers on the back and wings greyish-brown, tinged with purple, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills brownish-black, secondary like the other feathers of the wing; tail brownish-black; shafts of all the feathers brownish-black. Female similar to the male. After the breeding season the tufts disappear. Young after the first moult with the bill dull yellow, the ridge of the upper mandible dusky, naked parts of the head rich yellow; upper part of the head and neck brownish-black, tinged with green, throat grayish-white; fore neck and anterior part of breast variegated with pale brownish-grey and black; the rest of the plumage as in the adult, but the imbricated feathers of the upper parts lighter. This species differs from the last, chiefly in being smaller, and in having the elongated feathers behind the eye more slender and directed backwards instead of being recurved.

Male, 291/4, 461/2.

Constantly resident in the Floridas and their Keys, and along the coast to Texas. The young in summer pass up the Mississippi and Ohio, returning in autumn to the sea. Abundant. Breeds on trees only.

Phalacrocorax Floridanus, Florida Cormorant,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 387; v. v. p. 632.

419. 4. Phalacrocorax Townsendi,Aud.Townsend's Cormorant.

Plate CCCCXII.Fig. 2. Male.

Tail of twelve feathers; plumage of the neck and sides interspersed with linear white feathers: bill yellow, with the ridge brown; gular sac and bare skin on the head bright orange; upper part of head and hind neck dusky, tinged with green; hind part of back greenish-black; the rest of the upper parts brownish-grey, each feather edged with black; quills brownish-grey, similarly edged with black; outer primaries and tail-feathers black; sides of the head, fore part of neck, and breast light yellowish-brown; the middle of the neck in front darker, the sides, abdomen, and tibial feathers shaded into brownish-black, tinged with green. This description from a single individual shot on the 8th of October. Another individual, apparently a bird in its first plumage, has the head and upper part of the fore neck darker, the middle of the breast lighter, the feathers on the back margined with greyish-brown, and an inner band of dark brown; its bill is longer, but more slender, the unguis less curved, the feathers not entirely obliterated from the space before the eye, and extending farther on the gular sac.

Male, 35, wing 121/2; tail 63/4.

Cape Disappointment, Columbia River. Common.

Phalacrocorax Townsendi, Townsend's Cormorant,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 149.

420. 5. Phalacrocorax resplendens,Aud.Violet-green Cormorant.

Plate CCCCXXII.Fig. 1. Female.

Bill scarcely as long as the head, slender, dusky; tail of twelve feathers; gular sac and bare skin on the head, bright orange; plumage silky and splendent, deep green, seeming black in some lights and bright green and purple in others, the somewhat compact feathers of the back edged with dark purple; along the sides of the neck and the hind part of the sides of the body, numerous white piliform feathers terminated by a pencil of filaments; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black and less glossy. This description from an individual shot in October.

Female, 27; wing 10; tail 51/2.

Cape Disappointment, near Columbia River. Abundant.

Violet-green Cormorant, Phalacrocorax resplendens,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 148.

GENUS II. PLOTUS,Linn.ANHINGA.

Bill about twice the length of the head, almost straight, being very slightly recurved, rather slender, compressed, tapering to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly declinate, very slightly convex, the ridge convex, gradually narrowed, the sides sloping, the edges sharp, and beyond the middle cut into minute slender-pointed serratures directed backwards, the tip acuminate; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line beyond it straight and ascending, the sides sloping slightly outwards, the edges sharp and serrated, the point extremely narrow; gape-line ascending towards the end. No external nostrils in the adult. Head very small, oblong; neck very long and slender; body elongated and slender. Feet very short and stout; tibia feathered to the point; tarsus very short, roundish, reticulated; toes all connected by webs, the first of moderate length, the fourth longest, the first toe and the first phalanges of the rest with transverse series of scales; the rest of their extent scutellate. Claws rather large, very strong, compressed, curved, very acute, the third with parallel slits on the inner edge. A bare space at the base of the upper mandible, including the eye; skin of the throat bare and dilated, as in the Cormorants. Plumage close, blended, silky, the feathers oblong; scapulars elongated, lanceolate, compact, the outer web of the largest undulated. Wings of moderate length and breadth; third quill longest, inner secondaries elongated and resembling the posterior scapulars. Tail very long, narrow, of twelve straight feathers, having very strong shafts, and increasing in breadth to the end. Tongue a slight oblong knob; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands placed on the right side in the form of a globular sac; stomach roundish, of moderate size, rather thin, with its inner coat soft and smooth; a large roundish pyloric lobe; intestine long and very slender; no cœca, but a small rounded termination to the rectum.

421. 1. Plotus anhinga,Linn.American Anhinga.—Snake-Bird.

Plate CCCXVI.Male and Female.

Upper mandible dusky, lower bright yellow; gular sac orange; tarsus and toes dusky olive, the hind parts and webs yellow; general colour of head, neck, and body, glossy blackish-green, of the scapulars, wings, and tail, glossy bluish-black; long loose feathers on the neck purplish-white; lower part of neck behind marked with very numerous minute oblong spots of white, forming two broad bands, extending backwards, and gradually becoming more elongated, there being one along the centre of each feather, including the scapulars; smaller wing-coverts similarly marked with broader white spots disposed in regular rows; first row of small coverts and secondary coverts white, excepting a portion of the inner web; five elongated secondaries marked with a narrow white band; occupying the inner half of the outer web; tail-feathers tipped with a band of brownish-red fading into white. Female with only a few inconspicuous elongated feathers on the neck; upper part of head and hind neck dull greenish-brown, lighter on the lower part; fore part of neck pale reddish-brown, tinged with grey, lighter on the throat, that colour extending over part of the breast, and terminating abruptly in a transverse band of deep reddish-chestnut; the other parts as in the male, only the fore part of the back is tinged with brown, and its spots are less distinct.

Male, 353/4, 44.Female, 34, 43.

Constant resident from Florida to Georgia; in summer as far east as North Carolina, and up the Mississippi to Natchez. Common.

Plotus Anhinga,Bonap.Syn. p. 411.Black-bellied Darter, Plotus melanogaster,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 75.Black-bellied Darter,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 507.Anhinga or Snake-Bird, Plotus Anhinga,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 136.

Plotus Anhinga,Bonap.Syn. p. 411.

Black-bellied Darter, Plotus melanogaster,Wils.Amer. Orn. v. ix. p. 75.

Black-bellied Darter,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 507.

Anhinga or Snake-Bird, Plotus Anhinga,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 136.

GENUS III. TACHYPETES,Vieill.FRIGATE BIRD.

Bill longer than the head, strong, broader than high, unless towards the curved extremity; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly concave, at the tip decurved, its ridge broad and nearly flat at the base, narrowed and more convex towards the end, the sides separated from the ridge by a narrow groove, convex, the edges sharp, direct, irregularly jagged, with a prominence at the commencement of the curve at the elongated, compressed, tapering, decurved point; lower mandible with the angle extremely long, narrow, the membrane bare and dilatable into a small pouch, the veryshort dorsal line decurved, the sides erect at the base, convex in the rest of their extent, the edges sharp, much inflected, irregularly jagged, at the tip narrow and decurved. Nostrils basal, linear, inconspicuous. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck of moderate length, stout; body rather slender. Feet very short, stout; tibia very short; tarsus extremely short, feathered; toes all placed in the same plane, and connected by short deeply emarginate webs, which run out narrow along the sides, scutellate above, first small, second shorter than fourth, third much longer. Claws strong, compressed, curved, acute, that of the third toe long, with the inner edge pectinate. Plumage compact, glossy; feathers of the head, neck, and back lanceolate. Wings extremely long, pointed, the first quill longest; the rest rapidly diminishing; secondaries very short, the inner long and tapering. Tail very long, deeply forked, of twelve feathers. Tongue exceedingly small, fleshy, flattened; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands forming a complete belt; stomach very small, roundish, its muscular coat thin, the inner soft and corrugated; no pyloric lobe; intestine of moderate length; cœca extremely small; cloaca globular.

422. 1. Tachypetes Aquilus,Linn.Frigate-Bird.—Man-of-war Bird.

Plate CCLXXI.Male.

Male with the bill light purplish-blue, white in the middle, the gular sac orange; bare skin around the eye blue; feet light carmine above, orange beneath; general colour of plumage brownish-black, the head, neck, back, breast, and sides, splendent with green and purple, the former predominating on the head, the latter on the back; wings tinged with green; inner secondaries and tail with brown, the shafts of the former black, of the latter brown. Female with a broad white space on the breast, that colour extending forwards along the sides of the neck, and encircling it about the middle; feathers of the back less elongated, and glossy; the dark parts more tinged with brown. Young at first covered with yellowish soft down.

Adult, 41, 86.

Resides constantly on and about the Florida Keys, where it breedsin vast numbers on trees. Ranges over the Gulf of Mexico, Bays of Texas, but rarely seen to the eastward of North Carolina.

Tachypetes Aquilus,Bonap.Syn. p. 406.Frigate Pelican,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 491.Frigate Pelican. Tachypetes Aquilis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 495; v. v. p. 684.

Tachypetes Aquilus,Bonap.Syn. p. 406.

Frigate Pelican,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 491.

Frigate Pelican. Tachypetes Aquilis,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 495; v. v. p. 684.

GENUS IV. PELECANUS,Linn.PELICAN.

Bill about thrice the length of the head, rather slender, almost straight, depressed; upper mandible linear, depressed, convex at the base, gradually flattened, and a little enlarged to near the end, when it narrows, and terminates in a hooked point; ridge broad and convex at the base, gradually narrowed and flattened beyond the middle, separated by a groove from the sides, erect at the base, sloping toward the edges, edges very acute, with an internal groove; lower mandible with the angle excessively long, extending to the unguis, the sides erect and convex, the edges thin and involute, the tip decurved. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, concealed by the wrinkles of the skin. Head small, oblong; neck long, stout; body full, rather flattened. Feet short, and very stout; tarsus short, compressed, covered all round with hexagonal scales; toes in the same plane, all connected by webs, first shortest, fourth longer than third. Claws short, strong, curved, that of the third toe pectinate. Feathers of head and neck exceedingly small, slender, downy; of the other parts generally lanceolate and acuminate; wings very long, rather narrow, rounded; primaries much curved. Tail short, broad, rounded, of more than sixteen feathers. An enormous bare, extensile, gular sac; tongue extremely small, papilliform; œsophagus excessively wide; proventricular glands arranged in broad longitudinal series; stomach very small, with its muscular coat thin, its epithelium smooth and soft; a globular pyloric lobe; intestine long and narrow; cœca very small, cylindrical; cloaca globular.

423. 1. Pelecanus Americanus,Aud.American White Pelican.

Plate CCCXI.Male.

Bill with an erect crest on the ridge, and with the gular pouch and feet bright yellow; plumage white; elongated feathers on the occiput and breast pale yellow, with which also the smaller wing-coverts are tinged; alula, primary coverts, primary quills, and outer secondaries, black, with white shafts, inner ten secondaries white; tail of twenty-four feathers. Female generally without the horny crest, otherwise similar.

Male, 613/4, 103; bill, 133/4.

Common during winter from Texas to South Carolina, both along the coast, and about the lakes and rivers adjoining Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. Breeds from California northward, to Lat. 61°. Accidental in the Middle Atlantic Districts.

American White Pelican, Pelecanus americanus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 88.

424. 2. Pelecanus fuscus,Linn.Brown Pelican.

Plate CCLI.Male.Plate CCCCXXI.Young.

Bill greyish-white, tinged with brown, and marked with irregular spots of pale carmine; bare space between the bill and the eye deep blue, eyelids pink, gular pouch greenish-black; feet black; hair-like feathers on the fore part of the head light yellow, the rest of the head white; a stripe of the same margining the pouch to the middle of the neck; a short space between these two lines anteriorly, and the whole of the posterior and lateral parts of the neck dark chestnut-brown, the small crest paler; back and wings dusky, each feather with the central part greyish-white; the latter colour prevailing on the scapulars and larger wing-coverts; primaries and coverts brownish-black, secondaries greyish-brown; their outer edges greyish-white; tail light grey, shafts of quills and tail-feathers white, unless toward the end; lower parts brownish-grey; sides of the neck and body with narrow longitudinal white lines; on the fore neck, below the dark chestnut spot a smaller pale yellow mark, behind which the feathers for a short space are blackish-brown. Young in second plumage with the bill greyish-blue, its edges and unguis greyish-yellow; gular pouch dull greyish-blue; bare space around the eye dusky blue; head and neck dark brown, as are the upper parts generally; secondary and many of the smaller coverts margined with pale brown; primaries and their coverts, as well as the tail-coverts, brownish-black, with white shafts; feet and claws dull leaden. Tail of twenty-two feathers.

Adult, 52, 80.

Very abundant and constantly resident from Texas along the shoreseastward to North Carolina. Breeds on trees and also on the ground; eggs three.

Pelecanus fuscus,Bonap.Syn. p. 401.Brown Pelican,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 476.Brown Pelican, Pelecanus fuscus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 376; v. v. p. 212.

Pelecanus fuscus,Bonap.Syn. p. 401.

Brown Pelican,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 476.

Brown Pelican, Pelecanus fuscus,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 376; v. v. p. 212.

GENUS V. SULA,Briss.GANNET.

Bill longer than the head, opening beyond the eyes, straight, elongated, conical, moderately compressed; upper mandible, with the dorsal line, straight and declinate, at the end convex and a little decurved; the ridge very broad, convex, with a slight median carnia, and separated on each side from the sides, which are perpendicular, slightly convex, and have an additional narrow-jointed piece below the eye; edges sharp, direct, irregularly serrate with numerous slender cuts directed backwards, tip compressed, a little decurved, rather acute; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the dorsal line straight, ascending, the sides erect, convex, the edges sharp and serrated, the tip compressed, acute. No external nostrils. Head large, neck of moderate length, and very thick; body of moderate bulk, rather elongated. Feet short, strong, placed rather far behind; tibiæ concealed; tarsus very short, rounded before, sharp behind, scaly, with three lines of small transversely oblong scutella, which run down the toes, the latter long and slender, all united by membranes having their margins straight; first toe rather small, directed inwards and forwards; middle toe longest, the outer almost equal. Claws of moderate size, slightly arched, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage generally close, rather compact, on the head and neck blended. Wings very long, narrow, acute; first quill longest. Tail rather long, cuneate, of twelve or fourteen feathers. Gular sac small, with a small median portion bare; tongue extremely small, blunt; œsophagus extremely wide; proventricular glands forming a broad belt partially divided by intervals; stomach extremelysmall, its muscular coat thin, the inner soft; intestine of moderate length, slender; cœca very small; cloaca globular.

425. 1. Sula Bassana,Linn.Common Gannet.

Plate CCCXXVI.Adult Male, and Young.

Adult with the bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green towards the base; bare space about the eye, lines on the bill and gular membrane blackish-blue; tarsi, toes, and webs, brownish-black, the scutella light greenish-blue, claws greyish-white; general colour of plumage white; upper part of head and hind neck buff-coloured; primary quills brownish-black, their shafts white toward the base. Young at first covered with very soft white down; when fully fledged, with the bill light greyish-brown, the bare space around the eye pale greyish-blue; feet dusky, the narrow bands of scutella pale greyish-blue; head, neck, and upper parts, chocolate-brown, each feather with a terminal narrow triangular white spot; lower parts greyish-white, spotted with greyish-brown, each feather having a broad terminal margin of that colour; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black.

Adult, 401/2, 75.Youngfledged, 38, 72.

Ranges southward off the coast at all seasons as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Breeds on rocks on the Gulf of St Lawrence, and off the coast of Labrador. Abundant. Migratory.

Sula bassana,Bonap.Syn. p. 408.Gannet, Sula bassana,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 495.Common Gannet, Sula bassana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 222.

Sula bassana,Bonap.Syn. p. 408.

Gannet, Sula bassana,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 495.

Common Gannet, Sula bassana,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 222.

426. 2. Sula fusca,Linn.Booby Gannet.

Plate CCVII.Male.

Bill and naked parts at its base bright yellow, the former flesh-coloured toward the end; a dusky spot before the eye; tarsi, toes, and webs pale yellow, claws white; head, neck all round, upper parts in general, and lower surface of wings dusky brown, tinged with grey; breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, pure white. Young when fledged of a greyish-brown colour all over, the breast and abdomen being merely a little lighter than the rest; bill and claws dusky; tarsi and toes with their membranes dull yellow.

Male, 31, 491/4.

Gulf of Mexico, and as far east as the coast of Georgia. Breeds on the Fortugas Keys, south of Florida. Abundant. Migratory.

Sula fusca,Bonap.Syn. 408.Booby, Sula fusca,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 500.Booby Gannet, Sula fusca,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 63.

Sula fusca,Bonap.Syn. 408.

Booby, Sula fusca,Nutt.Man. v. ii. p. 500.

Booby Gannet, Sula fusca,Aud.Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 63.

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