338 NEW- YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



GENUS ANAS. Linn^us. 



Bill as long or slightly longer than the head, broad and depressed generally throughout its 

 whole length, widening towards the tip : upper mandible with a small nail at the tip. 

 Tarsus rounded ; hind toe very small, simple, or with a narrow membrane. Tail variously 

 shaped, of 14 - 18 feathers. 



Obs. This genus comprises about twelve American species, which are chiefly confined to 

 freshwater streams, although some are found on the seacoast. 



THE WOOD DUCK. 



Anas sponsa. 



plate cxi. fig. 247. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anus sponsa, Lin. p. 207. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, 562. Wilson, Am. Om. Vol. 8, p. 67, pi. 70, fig. 3. 

 A. (Anns) id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 385. Audubon, Birds of Am, Vol. 6, p. 271, pi. 391. 



Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 391. 

 Dendronessa id, Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 446. 

 Aix id. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 57. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 312. 



Characteristics. A pendant crest : throat white ; mirror purplish blue, tipped with white ; 

 under wing-coverts white, spotted with black. Male : head and crest 

 golden green, with two whitish stripes. Female : head and crest 

 brownish, and a white space round the eye. Length, 20 '0. 



Description. Bill shorter than the head, the feathers in front descending low ; tip of the 

 bill much hooked; sides of the bill strongly toothed. Tarsus 1"4, slightly compressed. Tail 

 broad and rounded, of sixteen feathers. Feathers of the middle of the head, and behind, 

 elongated. 



Color. Male: Head deep glossy green. A narrow white line passes from the base of 

 the bill over the eye ; another from behind the eye, curving down the neck. The white of 

 the chin and throat dilated, and nearly meeting on the sides of the neck : lower part of the 

 neck and shoulders purplish red, with numerous white arrowheaded spots beneath. Flanks 

 yellowish grey, finely waved with black ; broader black and white bars behind ; glossy 

 reddish purple on each side of the rump. Tips of the inner webs of the quills glossy 

 green. Tail and upper tail-coverts greenish black. Female, smaller. Crest not so much 

 developed : head dusky ; dorsal plumage brown, with purple and green metallic reflections ; a 

 white patch around and behind the eye ; throat white ; breast yellowish brown, streaked with 

 darker brown ; under tail-coverts grey, minutely speckled with brown. 



Length, 19-0-20-5. 



