9. RHODONESSA. 6l 



glossy on the edges of the feathers of the back and rump, and of 

 the upper tail-coverts. Total length about 26 inches, wing 12, 

 tail G, culmen 2-4, tarsus 2-1. 



It seems that in the East this bird is often kept in confinemeut, 

 and then becomes partially albino, especially on the neck, breast, 

 and abdomen ; two of the specimens mentioned below are of this 

 description. 



The systematic position of this bird has always been a great 

 puzzle ; but I have no doubt that its nearest allies are the species 

 of the genus Sarcidiornis, although it is devoid of a comb ; and on 

 this account I think that it ought to stand as the type of a dis- 

 tinct genus ; Mr. Hume has also expressed the same opinion. 



Hah. Assam, Eastern Bengal, Mergui, Malay Peninsula, Suma- 

 tra (?), and Java. 



a. cJad. St. Mergui (j5/^M). Zool. See. (Figm-edby 



Mr. Wolf, Zool. Sketch, pi. 49.) 



b. $ ad. sk. Dollah, Assam, May. Hume Cell. 



c. d. Ad. st. [Moluccas], probably Java. Purchased, 

 (semialbino 



var.). 



9. RHODONESSA. 



Type. 

 Rhodonessa, Rchnh. Av. Si/st. Nat. p. ix, Taf. 85 



(1852) R. caryopliyllacea. 



Range. Confined to India, Assam, and Independent Burma. 



1. Rhodonessa caryophyllacea. 



Pink-headed Duck, Lath. Syn. Suppl. i. p. 27G, n. 99, pi. 119 (India) 

 (1787) ; Tiveedie, Sir. Feath. vii. p. 527 (1879) : Reid, Sir. Feath. 

 viii. p. 418 (1879). 



Anas caryophyllacea, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 860, n. 85 (1790) ; Vieill. 

 N. D. V. p."l62 (181G); Dian. Diet. 6'c. Nat. vi. p. 379 (1817); 



pi. 167 (1845) ; Rchnh. Syn. Av., Natatores, t. 85. f. 919 (1845) 

 [ex Gray Sf Mitch.) ; G. R. Gr. Cat. Hodys. Coll. B. M. p. 146 

 (1846) ; Jenl. III. Ind. Orn. pi. .34 (1847) ; Bli/fh, Cat. B. 3Itis. 

 A. S. B. p. 304, n. 1774 (1849) ; Licht. Noincncl. Av. p. 101 

 (Assam) (1854) ; Jerd. B. of Ind. iii. p. 800 (1864) ; Schleg. Mus. 

 P.-B., Anseres, p. 62 (1866) ; Gieb. Thes. Orn. i. p. 346 (syn. 

 emend.) (1872) ; Hume, Nests ^y Fyys Ind. B. p. 644 (1873) ; 

 Sclat. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 110 (Zool. Gard.) ; Blyt/i, B. of Burma, 

 p. 165 (Arakan, Bhamo) (1875) ; Fairbank, Str. Feath. iv. p. 264 

 (Khandala) (1876) ; Davidson, Str. Feath. vii. p. 95 (1878) ; Ball, 

 I. c. p. 232 (llajmehal Hills, Ilazariba-h) (1878) ; Hu7nc, Str. Feath. 

 vii. p. 492 (1879), viii. p. 501 (1879) ; Hume .y Marsh. Game-B. 

 Ind. iii. pp. 174, 435, pi. 23 (1880) ; Simson, Ibis, 1884, p. 271 

 (Purneah and Maldah district) ; C. Swinh. ^- Barn. IJn's, 1885, 

 p. 137 (Lake Depalpore) ; Tristr. Cat. Coll. B. p. 49 (1889) 

 Haiiert, Eat. Voyelsamml. p. 231 (1891). 



