214 ANAS FUSCA. 



The velvet duck measures twenty-three inches in 

 length, and two feet nine inches in extent, and weighs 

 about three pounds ; the bill is broad, a little elevated 

 at the base, where it is black, the rest red, except the 

 lower mandible, which is of a pale yellowish white ; 

 both are edged with black, and deeply toothed ; irides, 

 pale cream ; under the eye is a small spot of white ; 

 general colour of the plumage brownish black, the 

 secondaries excepted, which are white, forming a broad 

 band across the wing; there are a few reflections of 

 purple on the upper plumage ; the legs are red on the 

 outside, and deep yellow, sprinkled with blackish, on 

 the inner sides ; tail, short and pointed. 



The female is very little less than the male ; but 

 differs considerably in its markings. The bill is dusky, 

 forehead and cheeks, white ; under the eye, dull brownish ; 

 behind that a large oval spot of white ; whole upper 

 parts and neck, dark brownish drab ; tips of the plumage, 

 lighter ; secondaries, white ; wing-quills, deep brown ; 

 belly, brownish white ; tail, hoary brown ; the throat 

 is white, marked with dusky specks; legs and feet, 

 yellow. 



Latham informs us, that this species is sometimes seen 

 on the coast of England, but is not common there ; that 

 it inhabits Denmark and Russia, and, in some parts of 

 Siberia, is very common. It is also found at Kamtschatka, 

 where it is said to breed, going far inland to lay ; the 

 eggs are eight or ten, and white ; the males depart, and 

 leave the females to remain with the young until they 

 are able to fly. In the river Ochotska they are so 

 numerous that a party of natives, consisting of fifty or 

 more, go off in boats, and drive these ducks up the river 

 before them, and, when the tide ebbs, fall on them at 

 once, and knock them on the head with clubs, killing 

 such numbers that each man has twenty or thirty for 

 his share.* 



* History of Kamtschatka, p. 160. 



