38 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE BIMACULATED DUCK. 

 (Anas Glocitans, Pall. Canard glousseur, Temm.) 



THIS species is about twenty inches in length, 

 and in the contour of its figure, and in being 

 slightly pin-tailed, bears some resemblance to the 

 Long-tailed Duck; its plumage, though prettily 

 variegated, does not look so shewy as that of some 

 others of the tribe. The bill, from the tip to the 

 brow, is about an inch and seven-eighths in length, 

 of a deep lead colour, and the nail black; irides 

 brown; the upper part of the head, to below the 

 nape, is deep reddish brown, slightly crested and 

 spotted, and joins a stripe of dark purple, which 

 falls down behind to the middle, or small part of 

 the neck, the fore part of which is glossy black 

 tinged with green ; the bill is bordered with black, 

 and the space between that and the eye is occupied 

 by a longish patch of a mixture of pale dull yellow, 



