MALACHORHYJNCHUS MEMBRANACEUS. 



(Memhranaceous DucJc.) 



Ceown of the head, occiput, and a rather narrow Hue behind the neck, greyish brown ; a ring of white round the eye, narrow above and 

 broader beneath, the ring being surrounded by a large patch of blackish brown, which is much expanded beneath the eye ; throat and front 

 of the face, pure white ; a tuft of pink feathers above the ears ; hinder part of the face, sides, and front of the neck, light grey, crossed by 

 fine bands of greyish brown; lower portion of neck, upper part of back, chest, and flanks, broadly banded with black and white; centre of 

 abdomen, white ; back and wings, brown ; central feathers of tail, dark greyish brown ; the remainder the same, but slightly tipped with 

 white; upper tail coverts, white, tipped with black; under tail coverts, light bufi"; secondaries and several of the shorter primaries, tipped 

 with white ; irides, hazel ; bill, brown ; feet, greenish lead color. 



Length, 17 inches ; wing, 7 ; tail, 3i ; bill, 2^ ; tarsus, 1. 



This, which may be regarded as one of the prettiest of the duck tribe belonging to Australia, is found in New South Wales, 

 Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, and occasionally Tasmania. The singular conformation of the bill may be supposed to give it 

 peculiar advantages in procuring its food. The comb underneath the upper mandible is largely developed, and, in addition, it is provided 

 with a piece of loose membrane or skin at each side of the bill, which has the efi'ect of widening that organ to a considerable extent, and being 

 doubtless endowed with great sensibility, probably enables it to discriminate its food more easily than other species not thus furnished. It 

 occurs in small flocks, and, in the act of flying, utters a shrill whistle. When wounded, its habit is to quit the water, and endeavor to hide 

 among the reeds or nearest vegetation. On one being wounded, the rest of the flock show much sympathy, and the greater portion 

 sometimes fall victims to the gun of the sportsman in consequence. The flesh is not much appreciated, because of its fishy flavor. There is 

 no difl'erence in the sexes, except sometimes a little more brightness in the plumage of the male. Nest and eggs unknown. 



