36 STEAMER-DUCK. Feb. 1827. 
It would not be an exaggeration to state its speed at from twelve 
to fifteen miles an hour. The peculiar form of the wing, and 
the short rigid feathers which cover it, together with the power 
this bird possesses of remaining a considerable length of time 
under water, constitute it a striking link between the genera 
Anas and Aptenodytes. It has been noticed by many former 
navigators. The largest we found measured forty inches, 
from the extremity of the bill, to that of the tail, and weighed 
thirteen pounds; but Captain Cook mentions, in his second 
voyage, that the weight of one was twenty-nine pounds.* It 
is very difficult to kill them, on account of their wariness and 
thick coat of feathers, which is impenetrable by any thing 
smaller than swan shot. The flavour of their flesh is so strong 
and fishy, that at first we killed them solely for specimens. 
Five or six months, however, on salt provisions, taught many 
to think such food palatable, and the seamen never lost an 
opportunity of eating them. I have preferred these ducks to 
salt-beef, but more asa preventive against scurvy, than from 
liking their taste. 
I am averse to altering names, particularly in natural his- 
tory, without very good reason, but in this case I do think the 
name of ‘steamer’ much more appropriate, and descriptive of 
the swift paddling motion of these birds, than that of ‘race- 
horse.’ I believe, too, the name of ‘steamer’ is now generally 
given to it by those who have visited these regions. 
Many shells were taken from the bottom by means of a fiz-. 
gig which Mr. Tarn found in one of the wigwams: it was a 
* Cook’s Second Voyage, 4to. p. 570. 
+ On the shores of Eagle Bay we procured a large collection of shells, 
among which were Margarita violacea (Nob. in Zool. Journ. v. 346, No. 
53), a beautiful Modiola (M. trapesina, Lam.*), anew Pecten (P. vitreus 
Nob. in Zool. Jour, v.337, No. 17), and a delicate transparent-shelled 
Patella, answering the description of P. cymbudaria. These four species 
were found attached to floating leaves of the kelp (Hucus giganteus), 
and afford food to the steamer-duck. We also collected good specimens 
of Murex Magellanicus, Lam.*, of Fisswrella picta, Lam.*, and a great 
number of the common patella of the Strait, which forms a considerable 
article of food for the Natives, 
