Buckley say that they obtained a female shot by Mr. Robson on the Bosphorus, where, the latter 

 says, it is rare, but it breeds in the marshes at the mouth of the Danube, whence Dr. Cullen has 

 sent its eggs. In Southern Russia it appears to be common on the Lower Volga, near Sarepta, 

 whence numbers of skins and eggs are sent to the German dealers ; but Professor von Nordmann 

 says that it is rare about the Black Sea. Dr. Kruper writes that it occurs not unfrequently in 

 Asia Minor ; and Canon Tristram met with it on the Sea of Galilee in March, where it appears 

 to be common. 



In North Africa it is common, but does not range far south. Von Heuglin says that he is 

 not sure if it breeds in Egypt ; but it is found in the winter and spring in the lagoons of the 

 Delta, usually in pairs. In December 1864 an old male was shot in a half-dried canal near 

 Qata, north of Cairo. Captain Shelley (B. of Egypt, p. 291) writes, it "is tolerably plentiful 

 in Lower Egypt; but I am not aware of its having been met with on the Nile above Cairo. Its 

 favourite haunts are the great brackish-water lakes of Mareotis and Menzaleh ; and it is probably 

 to be met with in the Fayoom, though I do not know of an instance of its capture there. It is 

 an extremely good diver, and prefers to keep to the water instead of taking to flight, unless very 

 closely pursued. I only met with it alive on one occasion, on Lake Mareotis, when I shot one 

 on the water, believing at the time that it was wounded. I have also seen it occasionally in the 

 Alexandrian market." On the west side of North Africa, and all along the northern shores, this 

 Duck appears to be found. In Algeria it is tolerably common and resident on the great lakes. 

 Mr. O. Salvin says (Ibis, 1859, p. 364) that he found it common in the lagoon of El Baheira, and 

 afterwards saw it at Djendeli and Zana; and Dr. Tristram met with in June 1856 at the lake of 

 Bou Guizoun, and in December at Tuggurt. According to Favier {fide Colonel Irby, I. c.) " this 

 species occurs near Tangier on passage, passing north during April, and returning to winter further 

 south in October. Some of the spring migrants remain in the country to breed in June, laying as 

 many as ten pure-white eggs. This Duck is not at all regular in its appearance, but in some 

 seasons is quite common." 



To the eastward the present species is found as far as Turkestan, where, Dr. Severtzoff says, 

 it breeds and is seen on passage ; but further east than this I cannot with certainty trace it. 



The White-headed Duck appears to be essentially a freshwater species, frequenting the 

 larger lakes and lagoons in places where it finds ample opportunities for concealment. It is said 

 to dive excellently, and to seek safety when alarmed, not by taking wing, but by diving like a 

 Grebe, keeping often for a long time under water; and Canon Tristram, who had a good oppor- 

 tunity of studying its habits in Algeria, says in its mode of flight and general habits it much 

 more resembles a Grebe than a true Duck. 



The eggs of this Duck differ widely from those of any other European species, being 

 peculiarly rough and coarse in texture of shell. It breeds in the south of Europe and in North 

 Africa, making its nest amongst the reeds or sedge, and depositing from seven to nine eggs. I 

 possess specimens from Southern Europe, which are large for the size of the bird, dull white in 

 colour, and, as above stated, are very coarse in texture of shell. 



The specimens figured are an old male and female from Transylvania, for the loan of which 

 I am indebted to C. G. Danford, Esq. 



