104 



bill was well developed, showing on the sides, near the end of the upper man- 

 dible, the peculiar membranous appendage of a darker colour than the resc of 

 the bill, but were unable to discern the presence of lamillse ; the caudal down 

 was produced to a marked degree. 



When hatched, the young are large compared with those of Fuligula Novoe 

 Zelandioi, measuring 7 inches in total length, of this nearly one-third is 

 contributed by the tail ; bill from gape 9 lines. 



Bill horn colour, lightest on the lower mandible, unguis rosy at the point ; 

 membranous appendage slaty black, well overlapping the lower mandible, 

 furnished with lamellae along its basal half, which work against the finely 

 serrated sides of the compressed basal half of the lower mandible ; upper 

 surface dull green, brightest on the back ; over and behind the eye irregular 

 streak of white ; under surface white ; wings and upjjer part of thighs 

 brownish ; tail gi-een above, at each side a patch of chestnut ; under surface 

 of the tail chestniit, covered with thick down, longest on the back ; legs and 

 feet yellowish flesh colour. 



As will be seen from the above description, the Mountain or Blue Duck 

 in its earliest stages of growth is very prettily marked, with its green and 

 white down, relieved by patches of chestnut ; it differs much from the young 

 of any other native sjjecies of Anatidce with which we are acquainted ; the tail 

 is much produced, in swimming it is carried well above the water. When the 

 parent birds have their brood in charge, they certainly exhibit much less craft 

 as well as energy for the protection of their offspring than any other 

 duck ; with them there is little, if any, attempt at concealment of the young, 

 none of the ruses are made use of, which, with the paradise ducks, often j)i'ove 

 so successful in misleading their enemies ; usually, they simply drop down the 

 rapid, trusting apparently for escape to the turbulence of the sti-eam— an asylum 

 safe enough from most, if not all, indigenous persecutors, but not from the 

 settler's dog ; they seem loth to land, and if compelled to do so, their progress is 

 not very rapid, in fact, they impress one with an idea of their helplessness. 

 The duck marches in front, with her low wailing call, the small brood follow, 

 whilst the drake protects the rear, or rather offers himself as the first victim 

 to the pursuer. 



For the last two years we have seen fewer Mountain Ducks than usual ; 

 if anything can save them from utter extermination it will be the remoteness 

 of their haunts. Protective enactments have doubtless proved beneficial in 

 restraining the vmscrupulous in many cases, but such laws would probably be 

 better observed if better known, for when one observes a string of ducks 

 hanging up at a house in December, it must surely arise from ignorance of our 

 legislative enactments that such an outward and visible sign of their infringe- 

 ment is made patent. In winter time they congregate in flocks of moderate 

 numbers. 



