250 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



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The Tufted Duck {Fuligula cristata, Leach) is a winter 

 visitor to the British low-lying coasts, and a fair number 

 are known to nest with us ; it also occurs in the more 

 temperate portion of the Palearctic Region. The adult 

 male has the head, elongated crest, and upper portion of 

 neck, black, glossed with purple ; lower part of neck, 

 black; mantle and scapulars, brownish-black, with fine 

 vermiculations of brown ; speculum, white ; abdomen, 

 white, tinged with grey towards vent ; under tail-coverts, 

 black ; irides, light yellow ; bill, bluish-grey, with black 

 nail ; legs, bluish-grey ; webs, dusky. Length, about 



