186 WILD FOWL OF INDIA. 



from Africa, others American. Not far from the Teals should be 

 placed the beautiful Summer Duck of North America, Aix sponsa, 

 L., and the still more gorgeous Mandarin Duck, A. galericulata, L. 

 This type, by its somewhat narrow and tapering bill, appears to 

 grade towards the Mergidce. A few other forms of this sub- 

 family are given by Bonaparte, but without any very special 

 characteristics. 



Sub-fam. FuligtjliNuE, Diving Ducks. 



Hind toe short, bordered by a more or less wide web ; wings 

 shorter than in the last sub-family ; tarsus short, more compressed, 

 set further backwards ; feet large, the web reaching to the very end 

 of the toes, and. wide ; tail generally short, rounded, or somewhat 

 wedged. 



The Ducks of this sub-family have a larger head and shorter 

 neck than the true Ducks ; they walk badly in consequence of the 

 very backward position of their legs, but swim well and dive freely. 

 There is less difference, in general, between the sexes than in the 

 last sub-family, and there is only one moult. Many are exclusively 

 marine Ducks, others partially so ; a few are mostly fresh water, and 

 to this last section belong all the Indian species. These vary some- 

 what in the form of the bill and in some other points, and though 

 closely related, and all formerly placed under Fuligula, are now 

 divided according to Gray (whose List of Genera I chiefly follow) 

 into three genera. They comprise the Fidigulece of Bonaparte. The 

 Pochards generally have a stout heavy body, and firm, close, and 

 thick plumage, colored in masses, mostly uniform and plain, and 

 the speculum is less strongly marked or wanting. In all, the 

 trachea is terminated by a labyrinth, partly osseous, partly mem- 

 branous. 



Gen. Branta, Boie. 



Syn. Callichen, Brehm and Gray ; Mergoides Eyton. 



Char. — Bill long, barely raised at the base, moderately wide ; 

 tip depressed, slightly narrowed, ending in a rather large nail ; 

 lamelke distant, large and prominent ; wings moderate, 1st quill 

 longest ; tail short, rounded, of 14 feathers. 



This genus comprises but one species. 



