THE MARBLED DUCKS. 



THE peculiar Duck which is the sole 

 representative of this group is an in- 

 habitant of dry, arid countries, and may 

 be regarded as a desert form of Duck. 

 Its coloration recalls to mind the colora- 

 tion of the Sand-Grouse. 



The Marbled Duck has the upper 

 plumage spotted. This character, to- 

 gether with the barred under tail-coverts, 

 suffices to distinguish it from all other 

 Indian Ducks. The sexes hardly differ 

 in colour, and there can be little doubt 

 that the drake does not have a post- 

 nuptial moult, the whole moult being 

 accomplished in the autumn. The male 

 is very slightly crested ; in the female 

 there is hardly a trace of a crest. 



The speculum differs little in colour 

 from the surrounding parts of the wing, 

 which is weak in structure. The legs are 

 feeble and the middle toe is hardly longer 

 than the tarsus. The profile of the upper 

 mandible is considerably concave ; and 

 the bill is of equal width throughout. 

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