OP THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 383 



Subfamily FULIQULIN^E, or Diving Ducks and Eiders. 



The birds included in the present subfamily are distinguished from their 

 allies by having a pendant lobe or membrane attached to the hind toe, and the 

 tarsus scutellated anteriorly. The bill is more or less depressed, and the tail 

 feathers are not abnormally stiffened as in the Ems MATURING. All the species 

 contained in this group habitually dive for their food, and are marvellously adept 

 under water. The sexes are generally different in colour. The moult is similar 

 to that of the Non-diving Ducks, single in females, partially double in males. 



This subfamily is composed of nearly forty species, divisible by Count Salvadori 

 (whose arrangement we have followed) into some thirteen genera. 



Genus NETTA, or Red -crested Pochards. 



Type, NETTA EUFINA. 



Netta, of Kaup (1829). The single species of Eed-crested Pochard possesses 

 sufficiently well-marked generic characteristics to warrant its separation from 

 nearly allied birds in the present subfamily. As in the Pochards (Nyroca) and 

 the Scaups (Fuligula) the primaries are not uniform brown but marked or mirrored 

 with grey; whilst in addition to this character the indentations of the upper 

 mandible are prominent : the head is also finely crested, and the number of tail 

 feathers is sixteen, against fourteen in Fuligula. 



As previously remarked but one species of Eed-crested Pochard is known. It 

 is an abnormal migrant to the British Islands, and its distribution, habits, and 

 general characteristics will be dealt with fully in the following chapter. 



