They are beautifully marked, have a large crest, and are iridescent with all colors of the rainbow. They frequent wooded country near ponds and lakes, feeding on water insects and mollusks in the coves. They build their nests in hollow trees and stumps, often at quite a distance from the water. When the young are a few days old, they slide, scramble, or flutter down the tree trunk to the ground below, and are led to the water. The nest is made of twigs, weeds and grass, and warmly lined with down. The eggs are a buff color and number eight to fifteen. Size 2. × 1.5. 145. RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. _Netta rufina._ A European species; a single specimen taken on Long Island in 1872. 146. REDHEAD. _Marila americana._ Range.--North America at large, breeding from northern United States northward, chiefly in the interior. A bird commonly seen in the markets where it is often sold as the following species because of their similarity. The nests are placed on the ground in marshes or sloughs, and are made of grasses, lined with feathers. Eggs from six to fourteen in number, of a buffy white color. Size 2.40 × 1.70. [Illustration 097: Rich buff.] [Illustration: Wood Duck. Redhead.] [Illustration: Buffy.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 96 [Illustration 098: WOOD DUCK.] Page 97 147. CANVAS-BACK. _Marila valisineria._ Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly in the interior from the United States to the Arctic Ocean. A noted table bird, especially in the south where it feeds on wild celery. Can be distinguished from the Redhead by its darker head, lighter back, and gradually sloping bill. They nest abundantly in Manitoba, their habits being the same as the preceding. They lay from six to ten eggs of a darker shade than the Red-heads. Size 2.40 × 1.70. Data.--Haunted Lake, N. Alberta, June 12, 1897. Ten eggs. Nest of reeds in a heavy reed bed out in the lake. Collector, Walter Raine. 148. SCAUP DUCK. _Marila marila._ Range.--North America, breeding from North Dakota northward, chiefly in the interior; south in winter to Central America. This and the following species are widely known as "Blue-bills" owing to the slaty blue color of that member. Their plumage is black and white, somewhat similar in pattern to that of the Redhead, but darker, and the whole head is black. They nest in marshes about many of the ponds and lakes in the interior of British America. The nest is made of marsh grasses and lined with feathers. The six to ten eggs are pale grayish or greenish gray. Size 2.50 × 1.70. Data.--Saltcoats Marshes, N. W. Canada, June 15, 1901. Ten eggs. Nest in the grass; a depression lined with down and dried grasses. Collector, Walter Raine. [Illustration: CANVAS-BACK. American Scaup Duck.] [Illustration 099: Pale greenish gray.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 98 149. LESSER SCAUP DUCK. _Marila affinis._