30 ANAS. DUCK. 



Hum, and nearly smooth roundish grinding plates. Intes- 

 tine long, of moderate width ; ccpca long, very narrow at 

 first, then of moderate width. 



Trachea of nearly uniform width ; the lower larynx with 

 a transversely ohlong hony expansion, forming a bulging 

 and rounded sac on the left side. Bronchi of moderate size. 



Nostrils elliptical, moderate, sub-basal Eyes rather 

 small. Legs short ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus 

 short, compressed, anteriorly with small scutella, and a 

 shorter outer series continuous with those of the outer toe. 

 Hind toe very small, elevated, with a very narrow mem- 

 brane ; fourth toe a little shorter than the third ; all scutel- 

 late ; interdigital membranes full. Claws small, compressed, 

 arched, rather blunt, that of the middle toe internally ex- 

 panded. 



Plumage dense, soft, and elastic ; feathers of the head 

 and upper neck short and silky, of the other parts oblong ; 

 scapulars large, oblong. Wings of moderate length and 

 breadth, pointed ; the second quill longest, the first little 

 shorter ; inner secondaries elongated, oblong, broad, rather 

 pointed. Tail short, much rounded, of eighteen acute 

 feathers. 



The males differ from the females in being larger and 

 differently coloured. They continue with the females, or 

 only leave them during incubation, to return before the 

 young are fledged. The food consists of seeds and other 

 vegetable substances, worms, insects, reptiles, and small 

 fishes. The nest is placed on the ground, rarely in elevated 

 places or on trees, and the eggs are numerous, white or 

 greenish. 



