138 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



much to diversify the scene ; ihey are very thick of feathers, 

 which makes them sit high on the water, and much adds to 

 their appearance. 



We have not so many of them with us in the breeding sea- 

 son as to make any thing of the down. 



Species 6. — The Tufted Duck. 



Wil. Orn. 365. Rait S^n. Av. 142. Anas fuligula, Lin. Sys. 207. Brit. 



Zool. 428. 



This duck is often forced against its will to pay us a visit; 

 does not build here that I can learn ; only comes in stormy 

 weather, and goes otF again when it is calm. 



The head is a shining black, with a hanging crest of the 

 same colour ; the back and whole body, except the belly and 

 a spot on each wing, is black. 



The female has no observable crest, and is much browner 

 than the male. While here they are close companions, never 

 part, but come and go together. 



Several other birds of this kind may perhaps pay us transient 

 visits, but they are often so short, irregular, and to such dis- 

 tant parts of the country, that there is no getting any account 

 of them ; and oft-times many curious birds are caught by such 

 as have no curiosity, further than to try what taste they have, 

 and of consequence they are altogether lost to the Faunist. 



The others of the duck-kind found about these islands are 

 as follows. 



