ANATIN.E 113 



b^. Upper and lower tail-coverts 

 not extending beyond end 

 of rectrices. 



«'. Central feathers not acu- 

 minate and not extending 

 beyond lateral ones . . t"7/rt)/?(?/rts»n(s, p. 148. 



//. Central tail-feathers more 

 or less acuminated and 

 extending slightly beyond 

 lateral ones. 



a'. Bill small and about 

 equal in breadth 

 throughout .... Mareca, p. 155. 



/)'. Bill moderate and taper- 

 ing towards tip . . Xettioii, p. 162. 



Hartert has recently eliminated a very large number of genera 

 amongst the ducks. Thus under Aims he includes Qucrquedula, 

 Cliaulelasmus, Marcca, Euiietta, Dafila and Marmaronetta . Un- 

 doubtedly many of these genera are very closely allied, and the 

 characters given by Blanford as reasons for separating them are in 

 some cases more specific than generic. Especially is this so as 

 regards Anas, Querquedula and Chctulelasmus. For the present, 

 however, I retain Blanford's genera, as they are both convenient and 

 well-known. 



