40 INDIAN DUCKS 



Genus AyAECOKNIS. 



This genus is one specially created by Salvador! for the White- 

 winged Wood-Duck, which previously had been placed either with 

 Sarcidiornis, Casarca. Anas, or Tadorna. It seems to be allied 

 most nearly to the tirst-iuentioned of these genera, differing in 

 possessing no comb or spur, and in having a flatter and larger bill. 

 There is no other member of the genus. 



Hume, in a foot-note to 'Game-Birds,' p. 147, gives his reason 

 for rejecting the name A. scutulata, which is, that Blyth considered 

 Miiller's birds to be of a different species from the wild ones found in 

 India and Burma. Salvadori, however, who had more material 

 to work on than was available to Hume at the time he wrote, con- 

 sidered that A. scutulata does apply to our bird, and that the 

 domesticated or confined bird is inclined to albinism. Under the 

 circumstances, I think it is better to follow Salvadori and accept 

 Miiller's name. 



