50 INDIAN DUCKS 



Genus EHODONESSA. 



The genns Rhodonessa, like the preceding, consists of but one 

 species, which is confined to Indian hmits. In adult or semi-adult 

 birds the colour of the head is sufficient to define it at a glance ; 

 should, however, the bird be in its first plumage, reference must be 

 made to its loreal feathering, as mentioned in the key above. 



(9) RHODONESSA CARYOPHYLLACEA. 

 THE PINK-riEADED DUCK. 



Anas caryophyllacea, Jcrclon, B. of I. iii. p. 800; Hume, Nests and 

 Eriijs, \). 614 ; Falrhank, S. F. iv, p. 264 ; Davidson, ibid, vii, p. 95 ; 

 Ball, ibid. p. 232; Hiinif, ibid. p. 492, id. ibid, viii, p. 801; 

 H/uiie d Marsli. Ganic-B. iii, pp.- 174, 435; Barnes, B. of Bom. p. 404. 



Rhodonessa caryophyllacea, Ball, S. F. ii, p. 438 ; Hume, ibid, viii, 

 p. 115; id. Cat. No. 960; Butler, S. F. i.\, p. 437; Beid, ibid, x 

 p. 81 ; Hume (f Marsh. Game-B. iii, p. 173, 435 ; Oates, B. of B. B. 

 ii, p. 284; A. Taylor, S. F. x, p. 531; Hume, ibid, xi, p. 344; Hume, 

 Nests and Eggs (Gates' ed.), iii, p. 200; .S7«(7;-^ Baker, J. B. N. H. S. 

 xi, p. 185 ; Salvadori, Cat. B. M. xxvii, p. 61 ; Inglis, J. B. N. H. S. 

 XV, p. 338; id. ibid, xvi, p. 75; Stuart Baker, Indian Ducks, p. 41 

 (1908) ; Inglis, J. B. N. II. S. xvi, p. 75 (1904) ; Jardine, ibid, xix, 

 p. 264 (1909) ; Iliggins, ibid, xxii, p. 399 (1913) ; Whistler, ibid. 

 xxiv, p. 599 (1916) ; Marslmll, ibid, xxv, p. 502 (1918). 



Description. Adult Male.—" Head, sides, of neck, and hind-neck a 

 beautiful pale rosy-pink, with, in the breeding-season, a small tuft of still 

 Ijrighter rosy on the top of the head ; throat dark brown ; rest of the 

 plumage line glossy dark chocolate-brown, paler and less glossed beneath, 

 but imder tail-coverts very dark ; mantle, scapulars, breast, and sides with 

 very fine rosy whitish vermiculations or points ; edge of tlie wing whitisli, 

 speculum reddish-fawn or dull salmon colour, with a white band at the tip 

 of the secondaries ; outer web and tip of the outer primaries lirown ; the 



