The True Ducks. 271 



young drakes soon begin to assume the 

 plumage of the adult, which, however, is 

 not quite attained in its fullest lustre till 

 the third year. 



Male : length about 23 ; wing about 1 1 ; 

 tail about 4. Female : length about 2 1 ; 

 wing about 10; tail 3|. The bill is 

 greenish yellow, with the nail blackish ; 

 the irides are brown ; the legs orange. 

 Weight, generally up to 3 Ib, but occa- 

 sionally up to 4 Ib. 



