250 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



specimen sent to Mr. Gray, and figured at the same 

 time as the preceding, will at once show how very 

 different it is from the Anas forrnosa of Pallas. 



In regard to form and structure, the bill, in breadth, 

 contour, and elevation, is much more like that of the 

 mallard than of the common teal, although much less in 

 proportionate size : it is consequently more depressed 

 than that of B. crecca or forrnosa, and the upper laminae 

 project rather more than in those birds : the nape is 

 very conspicuously crested ; the longest feathers mea- 

 suring fully two inches : the tail is short, not longer 

 than the under covers ; and the two outer feathers are 

 alone graduated : the wings are rather long ; the first 

 and second quills nearly equal ; and the second is ex- 

 ternally sinuated near the end of the outer shafts. 



The affinities of this species appear to us to be closer 

 to those of the common wild duck (5. domestica), than 

 to any other of the group : this is indicated by the form 

 of the bill, the white collar round the neck, and by the 

 long wings and short tails, almost hid by the under 

 covers. The subgenus Boschas represents, in its own 

 circle, the eiders; and this may account for the dependent 

 long scapular covers, so conspicuous in this elegant 

 bird. 



The colouring of the male, — the only sex we have yet 

 seen, — is very peculiar. The sides and upper part of the 

 head, as well as the nape, are of a full dark chestnut, richly 

 glossed with coppery green ; but the chin, and all round 

 the neck for about a quarter of its length, is pure white, 

 encircled with a narrow glossy green collar : the whole 

 of the plumage beyond this (excepting the wings and 

 ail), both above and below, is cinereous white ; each 

 feather being marked with concentric lines of black, 

 which give to the feathers a scale-like appearance; these 

 are broadest and darkest on the neck and breast, and 

 lightest and narrowest on the tertials and belly : the 

 wings are cinereous grey; the mirror deep velvet-black, 

 bordered towards the tail by a line of white, and above 

 by some of the secondaries being rich glossy green : the 



