CHAPTER XIX. 



GADWALL DUCK (aNAS STREPERA). 

 Local name, " Gray Duck." 



Adult male : Bill nearly as long as the head, 

 deeper than broad at the base, depressed to- 

 wards the end, the sides parallel, t'he tip rounded. 



Head of* moderate size, oblong, compressed. 

 Neck rather long and slender. Body elongated, 

 slightly depressed. Feet very short ; tibia bare 

 for about a quarter of an inch ; tarsus very short, 

 compressed. 



Plumage dense, soft, blended. Feathers of the 

 head short, of the occiput and nape a little 

 elongated, of the lower parts glossy, with the 

 extremities of the filaments stifFish. Wings 

 rather long, little curved, pointed. Tail short, 

 rounded, of sixteen strong, pointed feathers, of 

 which the middle pair project considerably. 



Bill bluish- black. Iris reddish -hazel. Feet dull 

 orange-yellow. Claws brownish-black. Webs 

 dusky. Head light yellowish-red; the upper part 

 and nape much darker and barred with dusky; 



an 



