The True Ducks. 209 



The ducklings moult from down into 

 a plumage resembling that of the adult 

 female. The male bird assumes the 

 plumage of the old drake by a gradual 

 series of changes during the winter and 

 early spring. The long sickle-shaped 

 feathers of the wing do not, however, 

 make their appearance till February. 

 Males shot in India, in full adult plumage, 

 generally want these feathers, or have 

 them just sprouting, showing that they 

 are immature. The old males retain 

 these long feathers throughout the winter 

 and spring, and only drop them in the 

 post-nuptial stage of plumage. 



Male : length about 20 ; wing 9^ ; tail 

 35. Female: length about 18 ; wing 9; 

 tail 3. Bill black ; irides brown ; legs 

 and feet bluish. Weight up to nearly 



VOL. II. 14 



