The True Ducks. 201 



brown with a narrow, whitish margin on 

 the outer web. 



The young duckling assumes the plu- 

 mage of the adult female, and young 

 males soon show indications of the mature 

 male plumage. 



In post-nuptial plumage, the male resem- 

 bles the females, but may be recognised 

 by the brighter speculum, which is always 

 of a pale metallic greyish green, whereas 

 in the female it is brown with a pale 

 greenish gloss, or simply plain brown. 



Male: length about 16; wing about 

 7! ; tail nearly 3. Female : length about 

 15; wing about y|: tail nearly 3. The 

 bill is blackish brown, paler on the lower 

 mandible ; irides brown ; legs and feet 

 plumbeous to greenish. Weight up to 

 i Ib. 



