4i8 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



impulse ! The Tufted Duck is not a very noisy bird, especially 

 during winter, but occasionally utters a harsh kurr-kurr as it rises 

 alarmed from the water. The food of this species consists of 

 aquatic insects, worms, grubs, lizards, frogs, spawn, and small 

 fish ; whilst the roots, stems, leaves, and buds of water plants are 

 also eaten. After having fed inland chiefly on vegetable diet, the 

 flesh of this Duck is by no means unpalatable, but birds shot on 

 the coast are rank and fishy in flavour. 



Nidification. — The breeding season of the Tufted Duck 

 commences about the middle of May in some localities, the end 

 of May or early in June in others. Its favourite breeding grounds 

 are on the banks of meres and lakes, and in marshy districts full 

 of small ponds. This Duck may probably pair for life, as in 

 districts where the fact can be observed the duck and drake 

 swim and fly in company for the greater part of the year. The 

 nest is either built amongst the rushes, in the centre of tufts 

 of sedge, in long, coarse grass, or under a stunted bush, always, 

 however, near the water. It is merely a hollow in which is 

 arranged a little dry grass or other vegetable refuse, and lined 

 with plenty of down from the female. The eggs are usually 

 eight or ten in number, sometimes several more are found. 

 They are greenish buff, smooth in texture, and rather polished, 

 and measure on an average 2 '3 inches in length by i -6 inch in 

 breadth. Down tufts small, dark grayish black with obscure pale 

 centres. But one brood is reared in the year, and the female 

 takes sole charge of the young. Incubation lasts from twenty-five 

 to twenty-eight days. 



Diagnostic Characters. — (Nuptial plumage), FuHgula, with 

 the crown and neck metallic green and purple, with a conspicuous 

 crest, and with only dust-like traces of vermiculations on the 

 upper parts (adult male) ; with white axillaries and alar speculum, 

 and with dark brown unvermiculated head, neck, and upper 

 parts (adult female). Length, 16 to 17 inches. 



