250 /. L. Bonkote : 



markings are more pronounced. Bill bluish slate with, black 

 over the culmen. Legs greenish-yellow. 



Cross (2) Adult Drake. Full Plumage. 



Feathers of the mantle dark brown, with narrow grey ver- 

 miculations; rest of the back and rump dark brown, showing 

 traces of metallic green on the upper tail-coverts, the central 

 feathers of which have a slight upward curve. Feathers of 

 the crown of the head dark brown with light edgings. The 

 post-orbital stripe, narrow at its anterior end and badly 

 defined, metallic green, some of the feathers with light tips. 

 Eest of the head very pale buff, almost white, with dark 

 brown or huffish tips to many of the feathers, these tips 

 being most conspicuous on the cheeks and sides of the neck. 

 Bing round neck pure white. Underparts pure white, sides 

 of the chest chestnut with white edgings. Flanks vermicu- 

 lated as in the Mallard, some of the feathers showing rufous 

 spots. Under tail coverts black with broad white margins. 



Eclipse plumage : unknown. 



Mallard — Meller's. 1 

 M ^ Meli. 



A pair of these birds bred in the Zoological Society's 

 Gardens in 1904 is in my possession. The Drake of the 

 pure bred Meller's Duck is a dark form of our common 

 Mallard. 



Adult Drake. Full Plumage, 



Feathers of the mantle, back and rump uniform dark 

 brown, those of the upper tail-coverts showing a slight 

 greenish sheen, the central ones have a tendency to curve 

 upwards, but are not recurved. Crown of the head very dark 

 brown, the feathers having narrow light edgings ; streak 

 behind the eye on either side bright metallic green ; sides of 

 face, neck and chin rufous, grizzled with dark brown, the 

 latter colour predominating under the chin to the almost 

 complete exclusion of the rufous. The chest is very deep 

 chestnut, each feather having a dark sub-terminal spot, the 

 rest of the underparts are dull whitish, vermiculated with 

 narrow bars of dark brow:i, and with dark median tips. 

 1 Anas meliert, from Madagascar. 



