492 Mr. Yarrell on a British specimen of Anas rufina. 



surest to prune away the diseased parts as soon as they appear, 

 cleansing the tree now of the old tumours, that new ones may be 

 more readily perceived. 



Art. LIV. Notice of the occurrence of a species of Duck 



new to the British Fauna. By William Yarrell, 



Esq, F.L,S. 



Synonymes. 

 Anas Rufina. — Pallas. 



The Great Red Headed Duck. — Willughby's Ornithology, 

 page 364. 



The Red Crested Duck. — Latham's General Synopsis, 1st Edit. 

 Vol. VI. p. 544. 



Canard Siffleur Huppe. — Teraminck's Manuel d'Ornith. 2** 

 Edit. 2"" Partie. p. 864. 



A male of this beautiful species was shot near Boston, while 

 feeding on fresh-water in company with some Wigeons, and sent to 

 the London Market, on the 21st January, from whence it was 

 purchased for preservation. 



Though a well known European species, it has not hitherto 

 been recorded to have been killed in England. 



As new therefore to the catalogue of British Ducks, a short 

 description may be acceptable. 



In size it is nearly equal to the common Wild Duck, (Anas 

 Boschas,) the irides and beak bright vermillion, the nails white, 

 sides of the head and neck chesnut, but lighter in colour at the 

 top of the head, where the feathers are elongated forming a crest, 

 the nape and neck dark-brown, upper part of the back and scapu- 

 laries light-brown, wing coverts ash-brown, a white semilunar patch 

 over each shoulder, speculum white, shaft and part of each wing 

 primary white, the edges and tips dusky, front of neck and breast 

 dark-brown, abdomen lighter, under surface of the wings, sides 

 and ilanks white, all the white parts tinged with pink, tail feathers 



