NATATORES — ANATIDjE — FULIGULA. 321 



GENUS FULIGULA. Ray. Stephens. 



Bill broad, depressed, not of equal breadth throughout, somewhat dilated, curved and un- 

 guiculated towards the tip. Head large and thick. Tarsus robust, much compressed, 

 shorter than the middle toe. Hind toe with a lobed membrane. 



Obs. This genus comprises the Sea Ducks, as they are called (although they are occa- 

 sionally seen in the interior), in order to distinguish them from the fresh-water ducks. The 

 Duck family proper forms a very natural group, which at first sight it would appear very 

 difficult to separate. We have, however, the twenty-six ducks found in America arranged 

 under sixteen or eighteen genera, according to the views of systematists. We shall con- 

 tent ourselves with indicating some of these divisions, without elevating them to the rank of 

 genera. 



(1.) Bill long, broad and flat, dilated at the end. Tail short, of fourteen feathers. Fcligula. 



THE CANVASS-BACK. 



FULIGULA VALISNERIA. 

 PLATE CXV. FIG. 256. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



A. valisneria. Wilbon, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 103, pi. 70, fig. 1. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 392. 

 Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 451, Nuttall, Man. Omith. Vol. 2, p. 430. Sharpless, 

 Cab. of Nat. History, Vol. 1, p. 41. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 299, pi. 395 (male and 

 female). Giracd, Birds of Long island, p. 318. 



Characteristics. Mirror grey. Bill straight, nearly 2*5 long; its sides parallel. Irides 

 red. Male, white waved with black ; head tinged with black before, 

 and with the neck glossy chesnut : a black pectoral belt. Female, dull 

 whitish waved with brown ; head, neck and breast brownish. Length, 

 21 inches. 



Description. Bill deeper than broad at the base, where it is very high. Nostrils subme- 

 dial, large, near the ridge, and placed in a furrow covered with a membrane. Tarsus scarcely 

 half the length of the middle toe. Tail-feathers pointed. 



Color. Male : Irides red. Bill greenish black. Forehead and throat dusky. Head and 

 neck glossy chesnut red. A broad band of brownish black occupies the lower part of the 

 neck and breast. Above greyish white, with numerous minute undulating bars of black. 

 [Fatjna — Part 2. J 41 



