356 Manual of the Game Birds of India. 



rufous. The wings are precisely similar 

 to those of the male, except that the dark 

 parts are not of such a deep black. 



Of the post-nuptial plumage of the 

 male, Mr. Dresser writes : " The summer 

 plumage of the male, which, as in other 

 Ducks, is retained for a very short time, 

 differs from the winter dress in being 

 browner on the head and neck ; the back 

 and lower neck are as if powdered with 

 greyish white, but this powdering is in- 

 distinct ; the nuchal tuft is much shorter 

 than in the winter." 



Ducklings in down, of both sexes, change 

 into a first plumage which resembles that 

 of the adult female, but is of a paler brown. 

 Young males soon begin to assume some 

 of the black feathers of the adult male, 

 especially on the head ; and the pale 

 patches at the base of the upper mandible 

 completely" disappear before the head is 

 entirely black. 



Male : length about 17 ; wing 8 ; tail 2|. 

 Female : length about 15^; wing 7^ ; tail 2. 

 The bill is bluish, with the tip black ; the 

 irides yellow ; the legs and feet vary from 

 leaden to light greyish blue, with the webs 

 .black. In young birds, the irides appear 

 to be brownish white. Weight up to a 

 little more than 2 Ib. 



