VOL. IX.] PLUMAGES IN BRITISH DUCKS. 141 



around the vent barred (quite distinct feathers from the 

 barred vermiculated feathers of the adult male winter in 

 this region). The Teal is to me a puzzle, and I consider both 

 sexes are dimorphic in pattern on the back, irrespective 

 of age. 



WiGEON. — The male in " eclipse " is much more rufous 

 than the adult female winter or juvenile male. The dorsal 

 feathers are distinct from those in the female, being much 

 more distinctl}' barred Avith rufous-brown rather than double- 

 spotted with pale brown or white. The flank feathers in 

 the male are also much richer rufous than in the female, 

 and correspond much more to the rufous flank feathers as 

 seen in the female " eclipse " plumage. 



Shoveler. — Head and neck and upper-parts as in female 

 adult winter : flank feathers of a different pattern. Rufous- 

 tinted belly. 



Pintail. — The male appears to be like the adult female 

 on breast, belly and vent. 



The Diving and Sea-Ducks in " eclipse " differ much 

 from the females ; indeed the Pochard in " eclipse " is very 

 like what he is in full winter dress, but the head, although 

 red, is duller and lacks gloss and the black breast-shield is 

 nearly absent. 



I hope at a near date we may be favoured with a much 

 longer and more detailed account of the moults of the 

 ducks from Miss Jackson. The subject is a most 

 fascinating one to me, and if I may be allowed to presume 

 to make a suggestion, it would be that each species be 

 dealt with separately and fully worked out. In some 

 species this will take a considerable time owing to the 

 lack of specimens killed during certain months of the 

 year, an experience I have suffered from with regard to 

 the Long-tailed Duck, to name only one species. 



