236 RED-CRESTED WHISTLING DUCK. 



Its food consists of shell-fish, insects, and water-plants. 



Of its nesting we know nothing; but it is said, as above stated, to breed in Sicily, 

 and to lay six or eight eggs, which are of a greenish white colour. 



In the adult male, according to Mr. Yarrell, "the beak is vermillion red; the nail, 

 white; (nail, red, but paler than the rest. — J. H. G-urney.) The irides, reddish brown; 

 the whole of the head, and the upper part of the neck all round, rich reddish chestnut; 

 the feathers on the top of the head, considerably elongated, forming a conspicuous crest; 

 the back of the neck below, and the upper tail coverts, dark brown; the back, and a 

 portion of the scapulars, wing coverts, and tertials, yellowish brown; a white patch on 

 the carpal joint of the wing, and another over the joint. Greater coverts, ash brown; 

 wing primaries and tail feathers, greyish brown; the secondaries with the outer webs 

 white, forming a speculum. Front of the neck, breast, belly, and under tail coverts, rich 

 dark brown; the sides and flanks, white; legs and toes, vermillion red; interdigital 

 membrane, almost black. 



The female is without a crest; the top of the head, dark brown; cheeks, throat, and 

 sides of the neck, greyish white; upper surface of the body, pale rufous brown; point of 

 shoulder and the speculum, greyish white; breast, reddish brown; the other parts of the 

 under surface, greyish brown; beak and legs, reddish brown." 



The length of the adult male is twenty-two inches. 





