400 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



bush, always, however, near to 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 1'6 inch in breadth. 

 The down tufts are small, dark greyish-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) FuUgula, 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. 



