FULIGULA. 565 



The Diving Ducks differ from the Sheldrakes and the other non-Diving 

 Ducks, and agree with the Eiders, the Mergansers, and the Spine-tailed 

 Ducks, in having the hind toe furnished with a well-developed lobe. They 

 are very closely allied to the Eiders, Steller's Duck forming an interme- 

 diate link between them ; but as it has the patches of emerald-green on the 

 head so characteristic of the Eiders, it may be most conveniently classed 

 with them. 



There are about five-and-twenty species belonging to this genus. In 

 the tropics they are only known in winter or on migration. Twenty-one 

 species breed in the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions, of which nine are 

 peculiar to the former, seven to the latter, and five common to both. 

 Of the remaining species, which breed in the temperate regions of the 

 southern hemisphere, two inhabit the south of South America, one South 

 Africa, and three New Zealand. 



The Diving Ducks fly, swim, and dive to perfection, but walk clumsily; 

 they have been called the Sea-Ducks, but most of them retire inland to 

 breed, and some remain on freshwater lakes throughout the year. They 

 generally breed on the ground, but some species prefer to make their nests 

 in hollow trees. 



So far as is known, the changes of plumage of the Diving Ducks very 

 closely resemble those of the Mallard and its allies. 



The following key will enable the student to distinguish any male 

 British Duck in nuptial plumage belonging to this genus ; but it may 

 assist him to be informed that the first five species have white, and the last 

 seven brown axillaries : 



Entire bill vermilion RED-CRESTED POCHARD . ") 



WHITE-EYED POCHARD . . [>Head and upper neck chestnut. 



Lower back and scapulars i POCHARD 

 white, vermiculated with < 

 black ( SCAUP 1 



TUFTED DUCK Crown and neck metallic 



A large white patch ex- i L green and purple, in strong 



tending from each eye I f BUFFEL-HEADED DUCK. . contrast to lower breast. 



round the nape . 



GOLDEN-EYE , 



bcapular y region marked j 



longitudinally with white. ] HARLEQUIN DUCK Metallic alar speculum. 



[^LONG-TAILED DUCK. 

 VELVET SCOTER. 



Wings and scapulars en- ] COMMON SCOTER. 

 tirely black j SUEF _S COTEK j Lar S e ^* Ptch on the 



i *_ u \ r kji^vj JL jCitt, t j i i 



< crown, surrounded with 

 I black. 



