ANATIDAE 



117 



are found in pairs, plunging in the cascades, diving below the 

 boulders, or stemming the impetuous current with equal facility. 

 Sub-fara. 3. JErismaturinae. — Biziura lohata, of Tasmania and 

 Australia — except the north- -is brown with buff mottlings, the 

 l)ill and its leathery appendage being greenish-black and the feet 

 dusky. The smaller female has less chin-lobe. This species frequents 

 the sea as well as lakes, roosts in trees, and when diving remains 

 long sul)merged; the food consists of mussels, leeches, and aquatic 





Fig. 33. — Musk Duck. Biziura lobata. x I. (From Nahire). 



worms ; the note resemljles the dropping <>f water. Tlie nest, placed 

 on a stump or in a bank, contains two oli\e eggs ; the musky smell 

 of the sitting female having suggested the name of Musk Duck. 



.Erisinatura cnn tains seven "Lake l)ucks," inhabitants of 

 fresh - water lagoons, which dive like Grebes, and remain 

 with only the bill exposed; they are often tame, and when 

 disturbed splasli along the suriace like a Moor-lien, to settle 

 again almost immediately ; in swimming the spiny tail is 

 carried erect, suggesting a compaiison to a '"' two-peaked saddle." 

 The note is .said to be a curious inward sound ; the food is of fish, 



