338 
NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 
GENUS ANAS. Linnaeus. 
Bill as long or slightly longer than the head, broad and depressed generally throughout its 
whole length, widening towards the tip : upper mandible with a small nail at the tip. 
Tarsus rounded ; hind toe very small, simple, or with a narrow membrane. Tail variously 
shaped, of 14 - 18 feathers. 
Obs. This genus comprises about twelve American species, which are chiefly confined to 
freshwater streams, although some are found on the seacoast. 
THE WOOD DUCK. 
Anas sponsa. 
PLATE CXI. FIG. 247. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Anas sponsa, Lin. p. 207. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, 562. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 97, pi. 70, fig. 3. 
A. (Anas) id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 385. Audubon, Birds of Am, Vol. 8, p. 271, pi. 391. 
Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 394. 
Dendronessa id, Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 446. 
Aix id. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 57. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 312. 
Characteristics. A pendant crest : throat white ; mirror purplish blue, tipped with white ; 
under wing-coverts white, spotted with black. Male: head and crest 
golden green, with two whitish stripes. Female: head and crest 
brownish, and a white space round the eye. Length, 20 "0. 
Description. Bill shorter than the head, the feathers in front descending low; tip of the 
bill much hooked ; sides of the bill strongly toothed. Tarsus 1'4, slightly compressed. Tail 
broad and rounded, of sixteen feathers. Feathers of the middle of the head, and behind, 
elongated. 
Color. Male: Head deep glossy green. A narrow white line passes from the base of 
the bill over the eye ; another from behind the eye, curving down the neck. The white of 
the chin and throat dilated, and nearly meeting on the sides of the neck: lower part of the 
neck and shoulders purplish red, with numerous white arrowheaded spots beneath. Flanks 
yellowish grey, finely waved with black ; broader black and white bars behind ; glossy 
reddish purple on each side of the rump. Tips of the inner webs of the quills glossy 
green. Tail and upper tail-coverts greenish black. Female , smaller. Crest not so much 
developed : head dusky ; dorsal plumage brown, with purple and green metallic reflections ; a 
white patch around and behind the eye ; throat white ; breast yellowish brown, streaked with 
darker brown ; under tail-coverts grey, minutely speckled with brown. 
Length, 19'0-20'5. 
