Anas glocitans of Pallas.  : 561 
have taken the above description, were sent up from a decoy 
near Maldon in Essex, to Leadenhall-market, in the winter of 
1812-13... Here they were observed by a respectable naturalist*, 
who immediately purchased them and set them up. From his 
collection they have subsequently passed into mine. There can 
be little doubt of the two birds being sexes of the same species. 
They agree in all the essential particulars that serve to identify 
the species of this family; their bill, legs, and feet exactly 
according in structure, and the colouring and markings of the 
speculum. on the wings, a distinguishing character among the 
Anatide, being precisely the same. We have moreover, in favour 
of this conclusion, the negative evidence that the other sex of 
neither of these birds has until now been ascertained; and we 
have the positive evidence that both these specimens were taken 
in the same decoy and at the same time. 
The Querquedula glocitans, or Bimaculated Duck, is readily 
distinguished from every other species of the family by the two 
ferruginous spots on the cheeks, in conjunction with the form of 
its tail, in which the two middle feathers somewhat exceed the 
others in length. The other European species of the Anatide, 
whose tails are elongated, are the Anas glacialis, A. boschas, and 
the 4. acuta of Linnzust. From the former of these it is at 
once distinguished by strong generic characters; the A. glaci- 
alist, from its lobated hallux, its legs being thrown behind the 
equilibrium of the body, and its consequently superior habits of 
swimming and diving, being placed at that extreme end of the 
family which leads off to the true oceanic birds, or typical Na- 
tatores ; while the Q. glocitans belongs to those groups, which, 
* Mr. George Weighton, of Fountain Place, City-road. 
+ These are the Harelda glacialis, Anas boschas, and Dafila acuta of Shaw's 
` Zoology. 
f The Anas nigra, Linn. also has the tail somewhat acute; but, equally with 
A. glacialis, stands at a remote extreme of the family from Q. glocitans. 
with 
