RUDDY DUCK. 327 



behind; tibia bare for a short space; tarsus very short, compressed, with an 

 anterior series of small scutella, an outer short series going to the fourth toe, 

 the rest reticulated. Hind toe very small, with a free inferior web; anterior 

 toes very long, slender, the middle toe double the length of the tarsus, the 

 outer almost as long, the inner considerably shorter, and having a broad 

 lobed margin; the webs reticulated. Claws rather small, slender, compressed, 

 slightly arched, acute. 



Plumage dense, blended, on the upper parts very soft; on' the fore part of 

 the head stiffish; on the lower parts with a silky gloss, and stiff, having the 

 extremities broad, and the barbs strong and pointed. Wings very short, of 

 moderate breadth, concave, pointed; primaries tapering, the first longest, 

 obliquely rounded. Tail short, much graduated, of eighteen stiff, narrow 

 feathers, of which the shaft is very strong, and runs out in a flattened con- 

 cave point. 



Bill and edges of eyelids greyish-blue. Iris hazel. Feet dull greyish- 

 blue; webs inclining to dusky; claws greyish-brown. Upper part of the 

 head and nape deep bluish-black, that colour running to a point about the 

 middle of the neck; a large white patch on each side of the head, from the 

 bill to behind the ear, narrowed on the throat. Neck all round, and all the 

 upper parts, as well as the sides of the rump, rich glossy brownish-red or 

 chestnut; the lower parts greyish-white, tinged with brown, and marked 

 with transverse interrupted bands of dusky. Wing-coverts, quills, and tail- 

 feathers, blackish-brown. 



Length to end of tail 14f inches, to end of wings 12|-, to end of claws 

 15, to carpal joint 7i; extent of w T ings 21^; wing from flexure 6i; tail 3^; 

 bill along the ridge 1-f, along the edge of lower mandible 1-|; tarsus 11; hind 

 toe and claw ^ 3 inner toe* If-, its claw i; middle toe 2-|, its claw §; outer 

 toe 2§, its claw i. Weight If lbs. Average measurements of six indi- 

 viduals. 



The black on the head of the male is sometimes marked with a few white 

 feathers. 



Adult Female in summer. 



The plumage presents the same characters as in the male. The bill is of 

 a darker greyish-blue; iris as in the male; feet darker. The top of the head, 

 and all the upper parts, are dark reddish-brown, minutely dotted and undu- 

 lated with dusky; wings and tail as in the male; lower parts duller than in 

 the male, but similarly marked; the throat, and a band from the base of the 

 upper mandible to beneath the eye, brownish-white. 



Male one year old. 



Bill, eyes, and feet as in the adult. A similar white patch on the side of 

 the head; upper part of head and hind neck dull blackish-brown; throat and 



