174 BULLETIN 12(>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



once difltinguished by the wings, and the brighter color of the eye, eyelids, bill, and 

 feet, and by tlK? darker color of the under parts. The crest also is much longer and 

 more pronounced. 



Foo(Z.— Regarding the food of the rufous-crested duck, he quotes 

 Naumann, as follows: 



These ducks like to feed on tender roots, buds, shoots, the tips of leaves, flowers, 

 and seeds of various kinds of plants growing rampant at the bottom of the water — 

 thus on any kinds of Potamogeton of Myriophyllum, and Ceratophyllum. As the last 

 named grow in a considerable depth of water, shooting up high toward the surface, 

 and often form thick green plantations under the water, such places in the pool are 

 the favorite hauntof these ducks. They are continually diving down in search of such 

 undergrowth, and occasionally, in addition to the vegetable food, they catch the liv- 

 ing creatures to be found on them. In places where this undergrowth approaches 

 nearer to the surface, they attempt to get at it by merely tipping up the hinder part 

 of the body and reaching for it by stretching the neck down vertically. They also 

 fish for much which they enjoy when merely swimming on the surface, but they 

 employ the last two methods less often than that of diving under completely for 

 their food. For this reason they like deep water, and come extremely seldom to the 

 bank for the sake of getting food. Along with the above-mentioned substances their 

 stomachs always contain a quantity of sand and small pebbles the size of peas. 



BeJutmor. — The same writer says: 



The red-crested pochard frequently comes ashore on lakes where they are seldom 

 disturbed; but if much harassed, they keep to the deep water the whole day. On 

 land tliey stand and walk in a manner quite different from other diving ducks, and 

 seem to be able to walk and run with less roll and greater ease than other species. 

 At such times the neck is very much drawn up, with the bill depressed, and when 

 moving fast it takes the form of the letter S, whilst the body is held more or less 

 horizontal. If they approach anything suspicious or are suddenly frightened, the 

 body ie suddenly held up. They seldom leave the banks of a lake except during 

 the nesting season. In swimming, or when about to dive for food, the body is held 

 low in the water, the tail trailing on the surface, the neck is stiff and almost upright, 

 and the bill held depressed. The bird at such times has an air of intent alertness, as 

 if minutely searching the depths below. Although skillful divers, they do not stay 

 below the surface as long as other species, 30 seconds being a long dive. Unlike 

 other diving ducks they show a distinct preference for shallows at certain seasons, 

 and especially in places where they are undisturbed. Here they may be seen 

 paddling for hours round the edge of a lake, frequently tipping up the hinder parta 

 after the fashion of mallard or pintail, and reaching for delicacies with their long 

 necks. Their flight is similar to other diving species, and it is accompanied by a 

 faint whistling sound, and is strong and well sustained. They have some difficulty 

 in rising if there is no wind. 



Mr. Millais (1913) says further: 



The usual call generally uttered by the female is a harsh kurr, and it is not often 

 emitted except in moments of excitement. Hume says the male utters a " sharp 

 sibilant note — a sort of whistle, " but does not state at what season he has heard it. 

 This note is commonly uttered by the male in courtship, but I have never heard it 

 »t other times. 



Game. — Those who have had experience in studying these ducks are of opinion 

 that they are shy and difficult to approach when in large flocks, but as easily killed 

 as other diving ducks when found on small pieces of water. Mr. Stuart Baker, who 

 has had manj' opportunities of studying the species, says: 



