200 RED-HEADED DUCK. 
is performed in a hurried manner, and they start from the water pell- 
mell; yet they can continue very long on wing, and the motions of 
their pinions, especially at night, produce a clear whistling sound. 
The fine pair from which I made the two figures in the plate were 
given me by my friend Dante, WezsTER, Esq. of Boston, Massachu- 
sets, whose talents and accomplishments are too well known to require 
any eulogium from me. 
The flesh of this bird is generally esteemed, insomuch that many 
persons know no difference between it and that of the Canvass-back 
Duck, for which it is not unfrequently sold; but I look upon it as far 
inferior to that of many other ducks. Individuals of both sexes vary 
much in size. On comparing American with European skins, I am 
unable to perceive any difference of colour or proportions indicative of 
specific distinction. 
Anas Ferina, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 31—JZath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii p. 862. 
Rep-HEADED Duck, Anas Frertna, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. viii. p. 110, pl. 70, 
fig. 6. 
Fuxieura Frerina, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 392. 
Fuuieura Ferina, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 452. 
Tue RepD-HEADED Duck, or Pocnarp, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 434. 
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXII. . Fig. 1. 
Bill as long as the head, deeper than broad at the base, the mar- 
gins parallel, slightly dilated towards the end, which is rounded, the 
frontal angles rather narrow and pointed. Upper mandible with the 
dorsal line at first straight and declinate, then slightly concave, direct 
for a short space near the tip, where it is incurved, the ridge broad and 
concave at the base, narrowed at the middle, enlarged and convex at 
the end; the sides nearly erect at the base, becoming anteriorly more 
and more declinate and convex, the edges curved, with about 45 la- 
melle, the unguis elliptical, and abruptly rounded at the end. Nostrils 
submedial, oblong, rather large, pervious, near the ridge, in an oblong 
depression covered with soft membrane. Lower mandible flattened, 
being but slightly convex, with the angle very long and rather narrow, 
the dorsal line very short and slightly convex, the erect edges with 
about 55 inferior lamellz ; the unguis obovate and abrupt. 
Head rather large, compressed, convex above. Eyes small. Neck 
