46 KING DUCK. 



part of the wings; greater under wing coverts, black; lesser 

 under wing coverts, black. Tail, dusky black it is of a 

 wedge shape, and short; upper tail coverts, black; under tail 

 coverts, black. Legs and toes, dull yellowish red; webs, 

 darker yellowish red. 



The female is less in size. Bill, greenish brown; the 

 protuberance at its base is not so large, nor so bright in 

 colour as in the male, and is nearly upright instead of hori- 

 zontal. The whole of the plumage is brown of two shades. 

 Head, crown, and neck, rather light brown of two shades. 



The young male at first resembles the female. Later on, 

 the head and neck are described as dusky yellowish grey, 

 crowded with black spots; the feathers on all the upper parts 

 tfull black, with yellowish brown edges; the breast yellowish 

 brown, spotted and barred with black. The full plumage is 

 said not to be acquired till the fourth year. 



According to Captain Sabine the young birds do not acquire 

 the development on the bill till the fourth year. 



In some specimens there is a little white on the hind part 

 of the head, and on the back. 



