est of
grasses, and sometimes twigs, lined with feathers. They lay from five to
eight eggs of a pale buff color. Size 2.75 x 1.85.

166. SURF SCOTER. _Oidemia perspicillata._

Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States
boundary, and wintering south to Virginia and southern California.

The male of this species is entirely black, except for the white patches
on the forehead and nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white,
pink and yellow. They nest either along the coast or in the interior,
building a nest lined with down, in the marsh grass bordering small
ponds. They lay from five to eight buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 x
1.70. The females of all the Scoters are a dingy brownish color, but
show the characteristic marking of the species, although the white is
generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data.--Mackenzie River, June 25,
1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the river.

[Illustration 107: Surf Scoter. White-winged Scoter.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 106

167. RUDDY DUCK. _Erismatura jamaicensis._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United
States border except locally on the Pacific coast. Winters along the
Gulf and through Mexico and Central America.

This peculiar species may always be recognized by the brownish or
chestnut upper parts, blackish crown, white cheeks and silvery white
underparts. The bill is very stout and broad at the end, and the tail
feathers are stiff and pointed like those of a Cormorant. They build
their nests in low marshy places, either placing them on the ground near
the water or in the rushes over it. Their nests are made of rushes and
grasses, sometimes lined and sometimes not, with down from the parents
breast. The eggs number from six to twelve and are grayish in color.
Size 2.40 x 1.75. Data.--Northern Assiniboia, Canada, June 6, 1901.
Eight eggs. Nest made of aquatic grasses, lined with down. Built in a
tuft of rushes in a marsh. Collector, Walter Raine.

168. MASKED DUCK. _Nomonyx dominicus._

This is a tropical species which is resident in Mexico, Central America
and in the West Indies. It occurs in Mexico north to the lower Rio
Grande Valley and has in three known instances strayed to northern
United States. The general plumage is a rusty chestnut, mottled with
blackish, it has a black face and throat, with white wing bars.

[Illustration 108: Grayish whit