NYROCA AUSTRALIS. 



(White-eyed DucTc.) 



Male. — Head and neck, dark chestnut brown ; back and tail the same color, each feather margined with huffish chestnut ; shoulder margined 

 with white ; wing coverts, blaclcish brown ; secondaries, white, largely tipped with blackish brown ; primaries, blackish brown, the basal 

 portions and inner webs, white ; chest and flanks, ferruginous, each feather margined with a lighter tint ; centre of abdomen and under tail 

 coverts, white. 



Female. ^ — Head, dull chestnut brown ; upper surface, umber brown, each feather margined with huffish brown ; under surface, 

 light brown, each feather tipped with buif or white, which two colors are pretty equally mingled on the centre of the abdomen. The remainder 

 of the plumage is similar to, though not so bright as, that of the male ; irides, white in the male — brown in the female ; bill, black, banded 

 with bluish grey at the tip ; feet, blackish brown. 



Every portion of Australia is, in all probability, visited by this species, some localities being more frequented than others. It 

 is decidedly uncommon in the northern parts of the continent, as Cape York and Port Essington ; but is found frequenting the rivers and 

 lagoons in various parts of New South "Wales and Tasmania in considerable numbers. It swims and dives well — the latter qualification 

 eminently serving it, as its food consists of aquatic insects, mollusca, &c., besides vegetable substances, most of which are obtained beneath 

 the surface of the water. It is subject to the attacks of the Ealco Melanogenys, or " duck hawk," and forms the favorite food of that bird. 

 It is usually found in company with ducks of other species, associating with them in the utmost amity. This species very much resembles 

 the Nryoca Anas of Great Britain, difliering chiefly in size. 



