94 ANATIDAt 
Southern countries, likewise in Asia, as far south as 
Kashmir, and eastward to Japan and China. It also breeds 
in North Africa.. On its winter migration it reaches to 
India and Burmah. Our bird is also found in ‘Temperate 
and Central America. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Head and neck, dark 
glossy green, below which is a white-neck-band ; hind neck, 
upper part of back and breast, rich reddish-brown ;_ lower 
part of back, dark bluish-black ; wing-coverts, brownish ; alar 
speculum, bluish-purple, edged above and below with. white ; 
primaries, brownish ; breast, abdomen and scapulars, light 
grey, finely speckled with black spots ; tail greyish-brown ; 
upper tail-coverts, glossy black, the four central feathers 
being curled up ; under tail-coverts, also black. 
Adult male, post-nuptial or eclipse—About the end of 
May the male assumes a brown plumage, resembling that of 
the female; but the feathers of the top of the head and 
lower back are darker ; this garb is retained until September 
or October. 
Adult female nuptial.—Top of head, dark brown; rest 
of plumage chequered brown and buff; alar speculum, dark 
clossy-green. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to the respective 
nuptial plumages. 
Immature, male and female. — Resembles the female 
plumage. 
Brak. Yellowish-green. 
FEET. Orange-red. 
Ir1pEs. Dark brown. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH ... es i 623 in. 
WING as aoe Fe ental oll: + 
Brak se ais DOs 
TARSO-METATARSUS a ae ee 
EGG 2°25 x 16m 
Allied Species and Representative Forms.—Anas obscura 
inhabits the North-east of America, both sexes resembling 
in plumage our female bird (Saunders). 
