320 THE RING-NECKED DUCK. 



the thorax contracted to 3 twelfths; the proventriculus oblong, 10 twelfths 

 in breadth. The stomach is a very muscular gizzard, of a transversely 

 elliptical form, placed obliquely, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 2 inches 3 twelfths 

 broad; the right muscle 10 twelfths thick, the left 9 twelfths; the grinding 

 surfaces of the epithelium longitudinally rugous, and of a brownish-red 

 colour. Lobes of the liver 1^ inches and 1 inch 1 twelfth long; gall-bladder 

 oblong, 1 inch long by 4 twelfths. The intestine makes 16 turns; its length 

 is 4 feet 7 inches, its width 4 twelfths; duodenal fold 3 inches; cceca 4 

 inches 9 twelfths long, only 1^ twelfths in breadth, narrower at the base 

 and at the extremity; rectum 3 inches 9 twelfths long, 3^- twelfths wide. 



Trachea 6^ inches long, a little flattened, carinate behind at the upper 

 part, from 5i twelfths to 3i twelfths in breadth; its rings moderately firm, 

 unless at the back part, where they are cartilaginous; 10S in number, with 

 about 8 more incorporated with the tympanum, which is very large, of an 

 irregular form, its projection on the right side having a semicircular carina, 

 and a great portion of it being membranous; its breadth 1 inch, its greatest 

 height 1 inch 2 twelfths. Bronchi short, one of 25 half rings, the other of 

 30. Muscles as usual in this family. 



THE RING-NECKED DUCK. 



+"FULIGULA RUFITORQTJES, Bontlf). 



PLATE CCCXC VIII.— Male and Female. 



The Ring-necked Duck is abundant on all our western waters during 

 autumn and winter. It is also met with along our Atlantic coasts; but there, 

 although I have seen many individuals on the Chesapeake and other large 

 arms of the sea, it is by no means so plentiful as in the interior. Its flesh 

 is excellent, equalling in my opinion that of any other Duck; and when it 

 has been feeding along the margins of rivers, creeks, or ponds for a few 

 weeks, it becomes very fat, tender, and juicy, and has none of the fishy 

 flavour of those species which are in the habit of diving deep for their food. 

 In shape, the Tufted Duck, or Ring-bill, as it is called in Kentucky, resem- 

 bles the Scaup or Flocking Fowl, but is plumper and more rounded. 



