FERRUGINOUS <& TUFTED DUCKS. 89 



Haunts. Chiefly shallow inland waters where bottom is 

 weedy. 



Plumage. Head and neck chestnut. Breast and upper back 

 black ; upper parts whitish, minutely and wavily lined with 

 black. Speculum grey and indistinct ; under parts greyish 

 white. Tail -coverts black. Bill black, with blue band across 

 middle. Legs and feet bluish grey. Length 19J in. Female, 

 dull brown on head, neck, and breast, and generally browner 

 than male. Young, like female. 



Language. Call-note, a low whistle. Alarm-note, a harsh 

 croak resembling " dun-curre." 



Habits. Flight rather heavy, but nevertheless rapid. An 

 excellent diver, and obtaining most of its food in this way. 



Food. Vegetable matters principally ; also worms, Crustacea, 

 mollusca, &c. 



Nest. Mid-May. One brood. 



Site. Well concealed in aquatic herbage, and always near 

 water. 



Materials. Dry grass and sedges, lined with down, some- 

 what resembling the Mallard's, and also the Tufted Duck's, 

 but browner. 



Eggs. Seven to ten or more. Pale greenish buff. 



FEBRUGINOUS OR WHITE-EYED DUCK 

 (Fuligula nyroca). 



An irregular winter and spring visitor. Chiefly observed in 

 the eastern counties. 



Observation. Distinct from other Ducks on account of dark 

 sombre plumage and white speculum and eyes. 



TUFTED DUCK (Fuligula cristata). 



Partially resident, the majority being winter visitors. Breeds 

 in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Lancashire, 

 Hants, Sussex, and Yorkshire, and other counties where suit- 

 able. Also abundantly in Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. Small shallow ponds, lakes, &c., where the bottom 

 is weedy. 



Plumage. Head, crest, and upper part of neck black, with 

 green and purple reflections; upper parts brownish black; 

 under parts white. Speculum white, bordered with black. 

 Bill slaty grey, with black nail. Legs and feet slate-colour. 

 Length 17 in. Female : dark brown ; under parts brownish 

 white ; rather smaller. Young, much like female. 



Language. A guttural " kurruk." 



Habits. Largely a night-feeder. In the daytime it is fond 



