816 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



the bill is short and narrow anteriorly. The Harlequin Duck, 

 A. histrionica, variegated in a fantastic way with black and white, 

 forms the genus Histrionicus, Lesson. The garrets or golden-eyes 

 form the genus Clangula. They dijBTer in habit from the other 

 Sea-ducks, preferring fresh water, and they breed in the hollows 

 of trees. Their heads appear very full and puffy, and they seem 

 to grade into the FuUguleoe. 



The Eider Duck, Somateria moUissima (L.,) is the type of the 

 next group : its down, and that of the King-duck, S. spectabilis, 

 are highly esteemed. Anas Stelleri, Pallas, forms the type of 

 Stelleria, Bonap. The Scoters are large dark coloured Ducks that 

 dive remarkably well, and live on diell-fish. The best known 

 species are Oidemia nigra, the Black Scoter, and 0. fiisca, the 

 velvet Scoter, both from Northern Seas. 



The Micropterece contain Micropterus cinereus, the Steamer 

 or Racer-duck of Southern Seas. It flies badly, having short 

 wings, but swims and dives with rapidity. Camptolmnus lahra- 

 dorus is another Duck of the same group. 



The ErismaturincB are classed as a family by Bonaparte. Their 

 chief characteristics are the stiff and pointed tail-feathers. Among 

 the most remarkable forms are Biziura lobata of Australia, with a 

 Jarge fleshy appendage hanging under the bill ; Erismatura leucoce- 

 phala, from lakes in Northern Asia and Africa, rarely killed 

 in Eastern Europe ; and there are species of this genus from 

 Africa, America, and Australia. Nesonetta Aucklandice, Gray, is 

 another type, as is Thalassornis of Eyton. 



Fam. Mergid^. 



Bill straight, narrow, cylindrical, the tip well bent over ; the edges 

 of the mandibles armed with strong teeth pointing backwards ; 

 nostrils median, longitudinal ; tarsus short, set far backwards ; feet 

 large, hind toe lobed ; wings moderate ; tail wedge-shaped, of 16 or 

 18 feathers. Form lengthened and flattened. Head more or less 

 crested. 



The Mergansers form a well-marked group in this tribe. Their 

 narrow and toothed bill is very unlike that of the Ducks, although 

 the teeth are only a modification of the lamella. Their flight is 

 strong and swift, but their gait on land is awkward, They moult 



