34 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



the wings, are of a pure white: the 'vent white, 

 mixed with dusky. The tail consists of fourteen 

 very short feathers: the legs are of a dark lead 

 colour; webs black. The female is of a browner 

 colour than the male, and has the crest shorter. 



The habits, manners, and haunts of this species 

 are much the same as those of the Golden-Eye, 

 and they return northward about the same time. 

 Latham says "the French allow these birds to be 

 eaten on maigre days and in Lent ; as they do also 

 the Scoter: but though the flesh of the latter is 

 now and then tolerable, that of the Tufted Duck is 

 seldom otherwise than excellent/' 



