434 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 



elevated regions of Asia it is generally numerous, and Mr. Hume 

 says that boat-loads of its eggs are brought into the market of 

 Srinugger, in Cashmere. During cold weather it is found over India 

 as far east as Arrakan ; Pere David states that it is common in 

 spring near Pekin ; and it is said to have been obtained in Japan. 



A nest found in Spain by Lord Lilford was placed amongst high 

 rushes, at a short distance from the water, and was composed of dry 

 water-plants with a lining of brownish-white down and a few white 

 feathers. The eggs, 7-12 in number, are pale bufif-colour with a 

 faint evanescent greenish tinge : average measurements 2"i by i"5 

 in. The food, sought by day, consists of vegetable matter, varied 

 with insects and their larvae, small molluscs, crustaceans &c. ; and 

 there is great difference of opinion as to the fitness of this Duck 

 for the table. Its diving powers can hardly be surpassed, but it 

 rises somewhat heavily, striking the water repeatedly with its feet, 

 like a Coot ; and it is not remarkably rapid when on the wing, 

 at which time it has a very dark appearance (whence its Spanish 

 name ' Negrete '), by which fact and by its white wing-bar it may easily 

 be recognized. It is seldom seen on large open sheets of water, 

 but prefers weedy lakes and ponds, where it can find reeds and 

 other cover suited to its skulking nature ; in fact its habits are very 

 similar to those of a Little Giebe. The note is a harsh kirr, kere, 

 kirr. Mr. J. H. Gurney has known a bird live in captivity for 

 fifteen years. 



Adult male : bill bluish-black ; irides white ; head, and the neck 

 all round to the upper part of the breast and the sides, rich chestnut- 

 brown ; on the middle of the neck a narrow brownish ring ; back and 

 wing-coverts umber-brown, with a tinge of green ; quills dusky-black, 

 part of the inner webs white ; on the secondaries a white speculum, 

 tipped with black ; tail brownish-black ; on the chin a small trian- 

 gular spot of white ; lower breast and belly white ; flanks brown ; 

 vent greyish-brown ; under tail-coverts white ; legs and toes bluish- 

 black, webs darker. Length i6in. ; wing 7*75 in. The female is 

 rather smaller ; her irides are not so white ; the head and neck are 

 of a darker brown, less rich in tone ; and the lower breast and belly 

 are seldom — though occasionally — as pure white as in the male. 

 The young bird of the year has even less of the chestnut tint than 

 the adult female. 



