DUCKS 467 



One, Filey, Yorkshire, Aug. 15, 1845 : Bell, ZooL, 1846, p. 

 1249; Yarrell, "Hist. Brit. Birds." Formerly in the 

 possession of the late Mr. G. N. Curzon; now in the 

 collection of his brother. Lord Scarsdale, at Kedleston ; 

 a male bird assuming winter plumage, as determined 

 by Mr. Saunders. 



Obs. This rare duck is the Anas stelleri, Pallas, 

 "Spic. Zool.," vi. p. 35, pi. 5 (1766); Anas dispar, 

 Sparrmann, "Mus. Carls.," tab. 7 (1786). Originally 

 described from specimens brought by Steller from 

 Kamtchatka, and called the Western Duck, from 

 having been found on the Western Coast of North 

 America. According to Professor Baird, however 

 ("Birds N. Amer.," p. 802), the occurrence of this 

 Duck in North America is " a matter, of much 

 uncertainty," no specimen actually taken in North 

 America having come to his knowledge. Never- 

 theless he adds : " It appears to inhabit North- 

 Eastern Asia, especially Kamtchatka and the Kurile 

 Islands, and to extend thence into Northern and 

 Western Europe. It doubtless visits the north-west 

 coast of America, where it is said by Bonaparte 

 to be abundant ; with what foundation I do not 

 know." In The Ibis, 1872, p. 327, Mr. J. H. Gurney 

 has noticed the fact of a pair having been obtained 

 on Flaxman's Island, on the western Arctic Coast of 

 North America. Four examples have been shot off 

 Heligoland, and two in Denmark, while on the 

 Baltic, according to Mr. Saunders, it is sometimes 

 not uncommon. Nevertheless, it is the rarest duck 

 which has ever visited the British Islands. 



