MANDARINE. 233 



The MANDARINE;, or Chinese Summer Duck. 



Dendronessa galericulata, Sw. 



Anas galericulata, Liim. ed. Gmelin, i. 532. Chinese Teal, 

 Edwards, pi. 102. Latham, Gen, Si/nop. vi. 548. Gen. Hist. 

 X. 363. Sarcelle de la China, Biiffon, pi. 805, 80G. Kin- 

 modsui, Kccmpf. Jap. 129. pi. 10. fig. 3. 



This superb and imposing bird is the most striking 

 in its appearance of all the ducks yet discovered. In 

 its native country, which is China and Japan, it is by 

 no means uncommon ; and it seems to be there as much 

 admired for the beauty of its plumage as it is in Europe. 

 In the markets of Canton they may be commonly seen 

 exposed for sale in cages, and sold at from six to ten 

 dollars a pair. They are purchased by Europeans, and 

 often arrive in this country alive ; but either from a pe- 

 culiar delicacy of constitution, or, what is more probable, 

 from ignorance or negligence in their management, they 

 have not yet been known to breed with us. It is pro- 

 bable, also, that, unless a genuine pair have been pro- 

 cured from an authentic source, the supposed female 

 may belong to the American summer duck ; since Dr. 

 Latham affirms that the latter is so like that of the 

 Chinese sort, as to be readily mistaken for it. The 

 Chinese draftsmen are very fond of representing this 

 species, both upon their paper-hangings and more finished 

 drawings. We know, as yet, nothing of its manners 

 cither in its wild or captive state. But the following 

 description of its plumage will suflSciently distinguish 

 it from the American species. 



The size is rather larger than our common teal. The 

 bill is pale flesh-colour, when the bird is alive ; but dull 

 red afterwards : the feathers on the hind part of the 

 head and nape fcrm a lengthened incumbent crest, 

 having a greenish black stripe on the top of the head 

 and the middle of the crown : the lores are pale rufous: 

 the sides of the head are occupied by a broad white 

 stripe, which narrows beyond the ear, and then passes 

 into the dark glossy green of the crest : the feathers 



