76 TUFTED DUCK. 
coverts, black. Legs and toes, dark greyish blue black; the 
elaws and webs dusky black. 
In summer the male assumes a brown plumage, the middle 
part of the breast white, the lower dull yellowish. 
The female is of a dull rufous brown colour, the edges of 
the feathers paler. The upper mandible is dusky on the inner 
part, the remainder greyish blue black, and paler than in the 
male; the feathers about the bill pale yellowish, or whitish; 
iris, yellow. The crest is small, but partially developed in 
old birds, and deep rufous brown in colour. ‘The breast on 
the centre part is yellowish white, but dull, being tinged with 
grey, or pale greyish brown, below white, with faint waves 
of pale brown; back, blackish brown, the feathers on the sides 
tipped with a paler shade. The speculum white; under tail 
coverts, white, speckled and barred with pale brown. Legs 
and toes, greyish blue black, paler than in the male. 
The young bird resembles the female: the forehead varied 
with white, the head dark brown, at first without, afterwards 
with a slight tuft or crest; the upper part of the breast deep 
brown, below white; the back brown, more deeply bordered 
with paler brown. The speculum is indistinct. After the 
moult the males turn much darker, and lose the white feathers 
about the base of the bill. 
