On the Hybridising of Ducks. 251 



The feathers of the flanks are similar, but the vermi- 

 €ulations are clear and distinct, and in some there is a dark 

 median spot, divided by a light huffish bar. Tail feathers 

 dark brown, with two irregular buffish bars on the outer 

 webs. Under tail coverts black. Bill and feet as in the 

 Mallard. 



Eclipse Plumage. 



Undescribed, but generally resembling that of the Mallard. 



Duck. 



Very similar to a wild Duck, but rather larger in size, 

 and more rufous in colour. The upper parts are dark 

 brown, each feather margined with rufous buff. Head buff, 

 grizzled with dark brown, the colour being most intense on 

 the crown. Breast and under parts, including flanks, rufous, 

 becoming paler on the vent, each feather having a broad 

 blackish V-shaped mark, giving it a general appearance as 

 though it were striped with black. 



Mallard — Spotbill — New Zealand — Meller's. 



{[(M c, S) ^ (P c^ M)] c, Zj- ^ (M ^ Meli.). 

 Adult Drake. Full -plumage. 



Feathers of the back dark brown, the longest scapulars 

 and feathers at the base of the neck showing- a tendency to 

 verini culation. Rump very dark brown, with dark, greenish 

 gloss ; median upper tail coverts recurved. Crown of head 

 and post-orbital patch dull metallic green, grizzled with light 

 buff ; remainder of head buff, grizzled with dark brown, 

 becoming almost pure rufous on the cheeks. Neck ring of 

 Mallard present. Chest very deep chestnut, with one or 

 two incomplete dark brown bars on most of the feathers. 

 Remainder of underparts white, with a tendency to become 

 spotted, the white becoming brownish on the vent. Flank 

 feathers white, with large dark sub-terminal spot, or V-shaped 

 bar, and showing traces of vermiculation. Under tail coverts 

 whitish, vermiculated with dark brown, some feathers being 

 almost pure black. Bill black, with yellow tip. 



Eclipse plumage : unknown. 



The Duck on the back is similar to the Pintail trigen (light 

 variety). Head rufous buff, darker on the crown, and with 



