.% XofeKR- Anas glocitans of Po //as. ' 56 1 



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 

 Anatida, 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. i 



The Querqicedula 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 Anatidcc, 

 whose tails are elongated, are the Anas glacialis, A.boschas, and 

 the A. acuta of Linnaeus+. From the former of these it is at 

 once distinguished by strong generic characters ; the A . glaci- 

 alis%, 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. g/o«7aws belongs to those groups, which, 



* Mr. George Weightoni of Fountain Place, City-road. 



+ These are the Harelda glacialis, Jnas boschas, and Dajila acuta of Sliaw's 

 Zoology. 



X 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. 

 .»'f K J ■ '/ / with 



