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THE BIEDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Nest, a depression in the ground, among thick vegetation, 

 and lined with down. From eight to ten greenish-white eggs 

 are laid, and they measure about 2.32 x 1.68 inch. This bird is 

 comparatively rare. 



Genus Aythya. 

 Hind toe broadly lobed. Bill smooth not swollen at base. 

 Tail feathers not particularly stiff. 



From a Drawing in the Christchurch Museum. 

 White-eyed Duck; Aythya (Nyroca) austrdlis. 



The White-eyed Duck (Hardhead) . 



Aythya australis. 



Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Guinea, and Waigiou. 



Head, neck and breast dark brown chestnut; back and scapulars dark 

 brown, each feather with olive-brown edges; abdomen white, but lower 

 part brown; sides brown, paler edges to feathers; wing-speculum white, 

 also white on the primaries; tail brown; skin round eyes white. Total 

 length 20 inches, wing 8.75, tail 2.5, culmen 1.9, tarsus 1.6. 



Nest on the ground among herbage or in hollows in trees, 

 and, as usual, lined with down. From eight to twelve creamy- 

 white eggs are laid, and they measure about 2.26 x 1.63 inch. 



