DUCKS. 65 



(704), belonging to the same genus, has been proved to breed 

 occasionally in the north of Scotland. The drakes of both the 

 Golden-eye (706) and Buffel-headed (707) Ducks (Clangula) are very 

 handsome black-and-white forms and these species are included in the 

 list of British Birds, the former being a regular winter-visitor, but the 

 latter only a rare North American straggler. Another common winter- 

 visitor to our coasts, the Long-tailed Duck (Harelda) (708), is said to 

 breed occasionally in the Shetlands, but the remarkably handsome 

 Harlequin (709), which is placed next to it, is only an accidental 

 straggler from the north. 



The Scoters (CEdemia), of which three species are exhibited, are all [Case 38.] 

 British Sea-ducks. The males are easily recognised by their black 

 plumage, the common species (CE. nigra) (710) being numerous 

 on our coasts, especially in winter. Lastly we come to the large 

 Steamer or Logger-head Duck (Tachyeres) (713), from the coasts of 

 Chile and the Falkland Islands ; only the young birds are able to 

 fly, the adults losing the power of doing so. 



Passing by the curiously marked Freckled Duck (Stictonetta) (715) [Case 39.] 

 of South Australia at the foot of the Case, we come to the various 

 species of Teal, a large group of smaller species referred to several 

 genera. Among the most striking we may mention the very hand- 

 some Cinnamon- Teal (Qmrquedula cyanoptera) (717). The Gar- 

 ganey (Q. circid) (719), the Blue-winged (Q. discors) (718), and the 

 American Teal (Nettion carolinense) (724) are all on the British List, 

 but the last two only appear as accidental visitors. Closely resembling 

 the last we have the Common Teal (N. crecca] (725), and may 

 draw attention in passing to the drake exhibited in complete "eclipse- 

 plumage " like that of the female. The most beautiful member of the 

 genus is, however, undoubtedly the Baikal Teal (JV. formosum) (728), 

 and another very fine bird is the Falcated Teal (Eunetta falcata) (729) 

 with its green occipital crest. 



Of the genus Anas which follows several species will be found. [^ ase *] 

 The Spotted-billed Duck (A. pcecilorhyncha) (732) is a familiar Indian 

 species, and one of the most striking is the Crested Duck (A cristatd) 



(734) from South America. The Wild Duck or M'allard (A. boscas) 



(735) is shown in various stages of plumage, the drake of the middle pair 

 being in " eclipse-plumage." 



At the foot of this Case we find some Ducks with remarkably [Case 40.] 

 formed bills specially adapted for retaining small shells, insects, and 

 vegetable matter. The Shovelers (Spatula) (737 & 738) include 

 four species, two of which are exhibited, and the so-called Pink-eved 

 Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) (739), which has a patch of pink 

 feathers behind the eye. The Common Shoveler (S. dypeata) (738) 



P 



