NATATORES. 363 



Genus ANAS, Linnceus. 



The well-known Mallard or Wild Duck of Europe is the 

 type of this genus, of which there is a representative in every 

 division of the globe, and at least two in Australia. 



Sp. 585. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gmelin. 

 Australian Wild Duck. 



Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 537. 



leucoiihrys, Forst. Drawings, No. Kl , 



Supercilious Duck, Lath. Gen. Syu. Supp., vol. vi. p. 497. 

 Gwoom-ndn-na, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Aus- 

 tralia. 

 Black Duck, Colonists of New Soilth Wales and Tasmania. 

 He-turrei'a, Aborigines of New Zealand. 

 Gi'ey Duck, Colonists of Swan River. 



Anas superciliosa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii. pi. 9. 



This species may be considered as the Australian repre- 

 sentative of the Common Wild Duck {Anas boschas) of Europe. 

 It enjoys a wide range of habitat, all the southern portion of 

 the continent, Tasmania, and the Islands in Bass's Straits 

 being alike favoured its presence; it also inhabits New 

 Zealand; at least specimens from thence offer so slight a 

 variation that I cannot consider them to be otherwise than 

 identical. 



In habits, manners, and general economy the European 

 and Australian species approximate most closely ; their flesh 

 is similar in flavour, and the one is as highly esteemed and as 

 much sought after for the table in Australia as the other is in 

 Europe; as regards external appearance, however, no com- 

 parison can be made between the two birds ; for, while the 

 male of the Anas boschas during the greater part of the year 

 is remarkable for the beauty of his plumage, the Alias super- 

 ciliosa, being subject to but little periodical change, is gene- 



