420 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



known by the name of "Spirit Duck." Its note is a somewhat 

 grating and feeble kurr. The food of this species consists of the 

 buds, roots, stems, and leaves of aquatic plants, worms, moUusks, 

 crustaceans, etc. Most of this is obtained by diving. In winter 

 this Duck usually consorts in small flocks, but sometimes gathers 

 into greater numbers during severe weather when its feeding 

 grounds are more restricted. 



Nidification. — According to latitude and climate the breeding 

 season of the Buffel-headed Duck begins in May or June. Like 

 the Golden-eye it breeds in hollow trees, sometimes as many as 

 twenty feet from the ground. No particular species of tree seems 

 selected ; all that is desired is a suitable hole. No nest is made, 

 and the eggs are laid on the decayed powdered wood at the 

 bottom of the hole, which is, however, eventually lined with down, 

 plucked from the body of the female. They are from six to ten 

 in number, and pale greenish gray in colour. They measure on 

 an average 2'o inches in length by i'45 inch in breadth. Although 

 several observers have been very careful to inform us that the nest 

 hole contained a quantity of down, none of them have deemed it 

 sufficiently important to describe it ; it probably resembles that of 

 the Golden-eye. Whether the male takes any share in domestic 

 duties is unknown, as is also the period of incubation. 



Diagnostic Characters. — (Nuptial plumage), FuUguia, 



with the axillaries brown, and with a large white patch on the side 

 of the head, commencing behind the eye (both sexes). Length, 

 14 to 15 inches. 



