THE FERRUGINOUS, OR WHITE-EYED DUCK. J 45 



recently much struck with this in an example of the Eastern Houbara Bustard, 

 shot at Basington, near Spurn, on October i8th, in 1896; within a few 

 hours the beautiful salmon-pink which pervaded the base of the feathers on the 

 back and breast had either disappeared or faded to the merest tinge of colour. 

 Subsequently also, after skinning, it lost that beautiful undefinable tint or gloss 

 of purple which was at first perceptible on the body feathers. 



The Red-crested Pochard is a true diving Duck, and has the hind toe with 

 a broad membranous lobe like the rest of the Fuligulinee. It is said to be an 

 expert diver, and its food, which is partly vegetable, is chiefly obtained in fresh 

 water. 



In the adult male, which is considerably larger than the Pochard, the bill is 

 bright crimson ; nail white ; irides reddish-brown ; legs and toes bright orange, 

 the webs darker ; upper neck and head with the thick dense crest chestnut- red, 

 but lighter on crest ; the remainder of neck, breast, and most of the abdomen and 

 lower back, black ; back and tail yellowish-brown ; the speculum, two patches near 

 bend of wing, and flanks, white ; in fresh killed specimens these white parts are 

 tinged with rose. Weight 2-lbs. 6-oz. to 2-lbs. io-oz., or an average of 4-oz. over 

 the Common Pochard. 



The female has no crest ; the plumage consists of various shades of brown, 

 with the cheeks, throat, and sides of neck, greyish- white. 



Family ANA TIDsE. 



FERRUGINOUS OR WHITE-EYED DUCK. 



Fuligula nyroca, GuLDENSTADT. 



THIS small and soberly-clad Duck is an occasional wanderer to the British 

 Islands in the winter and spring months, and chiefly in localities on the 

 east side of the country, notably the county of Norfolk, where the great extent of 



VOL. IV. 2 A 



