ERISMATURA LEUCOCEPHALA 221 



Description. — Adult male, winter, from North Tunisia. 



Head white, with tlie exceptiou of the crown, which is black ; neck 

 brown, darker on the hind part ; rest of the upper plumage buff, pencilled 

 with grey, darker on the rump, tail and quills ; breast pale yellowish-brown ; 

 rest of the underparts whitish-grey. 



Iris dark brown ; bill blue, much swollen at the base ; feet dusky slate- 

 colour. 



Total length 18 inches, wing 6-30, culmen 1-90, tarsus 1-30. 



Adult female, resembles the male to a great extent, but has less white 

 on the head, and is rather more rufous in colour. 



The White-headed Duck is not at all uncommon in Tunisia in 

 winter, and apparently breeds in the Eegeney. I have specimens 

 of it obtained in the Djebel Eshkul mar.sh in the month of May. In 

 winter it may sometimes be seen on the Lake of Tunis. Halvin 

 observed the species on this lake, as well as at Zana and Djendeli. 



According to Loche the species is fairly abundant and resident in 

 Algeria on all tlio large lakes. Canon Tristram also met with it 

 in June, 1856, at the Lake of Bou-Guizoum, and in December at 

 Touggourt. According to Favier this Duck occurs near Tangier on 

 passage, some of the spring migrants remaining in the country to 

 breed in June ; but though quite common in some seasons, it is not at 

 all regular in its appearance. Throughout the Mediterranean generally 

 this species is not uncommon in winter, and in many localities it 

 nests and may be considered resident. 



It seems to be essentially a fresh-water Duck, and avoids the 

 sea-coast as a rule. In its habits it is secretive and rather skulking, 

 often, when pursued, preferring to liide among thick aquatic vege- 

 tation instead of taking to flight. It swims and dives well, and 

 feeds on vegetable matter, small molluscs, worms and insects. It 

 places its nest among reeds or rushes, and lays from seven to ten 

 eggs of a dull white colour, very coarse grained, and measuring about 

 65 X 50 mm. 



