ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 237 
GENUS BIZIURA, 
The curious Lobated Diving Duck of Australia, inhabit- 
ing the great inland lakes, and known as the Musk Duck, 
is the only representative of this genus. 
MUSK OR LOBATED DUCK. 
(Biziura lobata.) 
For the little information that exists respecting this rare 
duck we are indebted to Gould, who treats of it as follows :— 
““This singular species of duck is widely and very generally 
distributed over the whole of the southern countries of Australia, including 
Tasmania, and the smaller islands in Bass’s Straits. It frequents deep bays 
and inlets of the sea, the upper part of rivers, lakes, and secluded pools. 
More than a pair are rarely seen at one time. When surprised, instead of 
attempting to escape by flight, it immediately dives, and remains submerged 
for a great length of time, merely rising to the surface at long intervals for 
the purpose of breathing. Its chief food consists of mussels, leeches, and 
aquatic.worms. In Western Australia it is said to leave the rivers in 
August, and take up its abode for the purpose of breeding in numerous 
lakes which stretch along parallel to the coast. The nest, placed either on 
the stump of a low tree, or on a bank two feet above the level of water, is 
formed of dried reeds, lined with feathers and down plucked by the bird 
from its own breast. The young birds, if pursued while on the water, 
mount on the back of the parent, which dives with them to a place of safety. 
During the pairing and breeding season (September and October) it emits a 
strong musky odour, which is often perceptible long before the bird is seen, 
and is retained for years afterwards in the skins of specimens killed during 
that particular season. Their note is extremely singular, resembling the 
sound caused by a large drop of water falling into a deep well; or may be 
imitated by the sudden opening of the lips. There is a remarkable 
difference in the relative sizes of the sexes, the bulk and admeasurements 
of the female being not more than half those of her mate ; the male only 
possesses the wattle under the throat.” 
The Zoological Society of London was the first to intro- 
duce specimens of these birds into Europe, having acquired two 
males in 1882; and at the time of writing I am informed that 
there is a specimen in the zoological collection at Berlin. 
