Genus FULIGULA or DIVING DUCKS. 



Type FULIGULA CRISTATA. 



Fuligula of Stephens (1824). — The birds comprising the 

 present genus are characterised by having the bill broad and flat, 

 furnished with lamellse, not with saw-like teeth, with the rectrices 

 soft and pliable ; and with no patches of emerald green on the 

 head. The former characters separate them from the Mergansers 

 and the Spine-tailed Ducks (non-British), whilst the latter character 

 diagnoses them from the Eiders. The wings are rather short 

 but pointed ; tail somewhat variable in shape and in number of 

 feathers. The bill is rather short, and in some species swollen 

 or tuberculated at the base. Three toes in front webbed; 

 hind toe moderate and lobed. 



This genus is composed of about twenty-five species, which 

 are mostly distributed in the Nearctic, Neotropical, and Palaearctic 

 regions; two are southern Neotropical, one Ethiopian, and one 

 New Zealand. Twelve species are British. 



The Diving Ducks frequent maritime as well as more inland 

 waters, but are most commonly distributed on salt water during 

 winter, though some frequent fresh water always. They are birds 

 of rapid yet somewhat laboured flight ; swim and dive with 

 marvellous skill, but walk clumsily. They make their nests, lined 

 with down, either in the ground or in holes in trees, and their 

 numerous eggs range from buff to olive-brown and green in 

 colour. They are monogamous ; more or less gregarious in 

 winter. 



