The Ducks. 



145 



A. -^t^ 



The Blue-winged Teal. 



THE DIVING DUCKS. 



Sith-family 



FUUGULINM. 



space and the male 

 becomes like the 

 female. 



THE RED-CRESTED 



POCHARD. 



{Netta rufina.) 



This fine species is 

 an accidental visitor 

 to Great Britain, 

 having been noticed 

 twice in England, 

 once in Scotland, and 

 once in Ireland. It 

 is a most unmis- 

 takable species, bemg distinguished by its 

 full cinnamon-coloured crest, and white specu- 

 lum on the wing; the bill in the male is 

 brilliant crimson, and is black in the female 

 with a good deal of reddish or orange towards 

 the tip ; in the hen bird also the speculum 

 on the wing is greyish-white. The range of 

 the species extends from tlie countries of the 

 Mediterranean east to Central Asia, and it is 

 very abundant in Southern Russia. In winter 



occurrence in Europe. It is similar 

 in appearance to the Garganey, 

 but is easil}' told by its brighter 

 and more smalt-blue wing-coverts, 

 and b)- the crescent-shaped white 

 band between the eyes and the base 

 of the bill ; the crown is black and 

 the throat and sides of the face are 

 sooty-brown. In habits it resembles 

 the Garganey. The eggs are pale 

 buft", and measure about an inch- 

 and-three-quarters in length. 

 The Diving Ducks are distinguished by having a very 

 broad lobe to the hind toe. They are believed to have the 

 same summer change in the males as in the true Ducks, 

 when the ornamental breeding-dress is thrown off for a short 



The Tufted Duck. 



^■^ 



The Golden-eyed Duck. 

 The Red-crested Pochard. 

 10 



