73 XKW ZEALAND BIUDS. 



stream, as tbougli its hoily were Avorkcd on ji pivot — a performance, 

 no doubt, aided by tbe pceuliar Icugtbened sbape of its tail. It climbs 

 tlic slippery face of the rocks M'itb facility, assisting itself in the 

 ascent by its uings, wliicli are armed at the flexure with a hard 

 protuberance or knob/' — Buller. 



FULIGULA. StepJi. 



Bill, nearly as long as the head, broader at the base than high ; first quill tlio longest ; 

 tarsi, half the length of the middle toe; hind toe deeply margined with a membraneous 

 web. 



North regions of America, Europe, and Asia. 



104. Puligula novse-zealandise. G>iil. 



Scaup. Black Teal. Papango. 



(Plate XXXI.) 



Above, black ; abdomen, browiush-whitc, darker on the vent ; speculum, white. 

 Female. — Above, dull black ; below, brown, mottled with white ; a band of white round 

 the upper mandible. 



L., 16; W., 75; B., 1-75; T., 2-5. 

 Effff.— White ; length, 27 ; breadth, VI. 

 Sob. — Both Islands. 



'' This small Duck has all the habits of a true Scaup, although it 

 is generall}^ called by other names. It is freely distributed over the 

 country, frequenting most of the rivers and lagoons, but seldom being 

 met with in the bush-creeks, and never on the open sea-shore. In 

 winter it associates in large flocks, mingling freely wdth the Grey 

 Duck and other species ; but at other times it is more generally met 

 with in pairs or in parties of four or five together. Its powers of 

 flight are very feeble ; it takes wing with reluctance, and never rises 

 liigh in the air, generally only skimming tlie surface ; but it is a veiy 

 expert diver, and usually trusts to this faculty for eluding pursuit. 

 Even when mortally wounded it will often escape by this means, aTid 

 take refuge in the dense sedge, whence it can only be dislodged by a 

 retriever well ti-ained to the work." — Buller. 



Ntboca. Flem. 



Bill, as long as the head, higher at the base than broad ; first and second quills equal 

 and longest ; rest as in Fuligula. 



Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Australia. 



105. Nyroca australis. Gould. 



WniTE-wiNGED Duck. Kaeakahia. 



Head and breast, dark rufous-brown ; back and abdomen, brown ; lower breast and 

 under tail-coverts, white ; speculum, white. 

 L., 20; W., 8-5; B., 22; T., 1-5. 

 Hab. — Both Islands ; Australia. 



