ROSY-BILLED DUCK 153 



A peculiar interest attaches to this species owing 

 to the fact that it is the only freshwater Duck in the 

 sub-family Fuligulinae, in which it is classed. With 

 the exception of the Loggerhead Duck (Tachyeres 

 cinereus), found in the Falklands and the Magellan 

 Straits, all the other sea-Ducks of this division in- 

 habit North and Central America ; so that the 

 Rosy-bill appears to have separated itself widely 

 from its nearest relations geographically as well as 

 in habits. In appearance it is a fine bird, the black 

 plumage being frosted on the upper parts with white 

 in a very delicate manner, while the rosy bill and 

 large carmine caruncle and golden-red iris contrast 

 beautifully with the glossy purple head and neck. 

 The speculum is white, the legs bright yellow. The 

 plumage of the female is brown. 



In marshy places on the pampas the Rosy-billed 

 Duck is very abundant, and they sometimes congre- 

 gate in very large flocks. They obtain their food 

 from floating weeds in the water, and are never seen, 

 like the Pintails and other kinds, feeding on the dry 

 land. They rise heavily, the wings being com- 

 paratively small, and have a rapid, straight, violent 

 flight ; they are nevertheless able to perform long 

 journeys, and travel in long lines and at a considerable 

 elevation. Their only language is a deep, hoarse, 

 prolonged, raven-like note, uttered by the male in 

 the love-season. The nest is made on swampy ground 

 near the water, of dry rushes, and is, for a Duck, a 

 deep well-made structure ; the eggs are oval in form, 

 cream-coloured, and twelve in number. 



