284 duck. 



A.-— Anas torquata, Gm. Lin.\. 514. Ind. Orn. ii. 849. S. G. Gmel. reise, ii. 180. t. 14. 



This appears to be a mere Variety of the male, and differs only 

 in having the ramp white. 



Found on the Shores of the Caspian Sea. 



From the various changes that many of the Duck Genus undergo 

 before they attain complete plumage, we may infer, that it is the 

 same with this species. I have described the above reputed female 

 on the authority of writers, but have some doubts of the circum- 

 stance, and that it may prove rather an imperfect male. In the first 

 place, the white space before the eye, and patch of the same behind 

 on the ear, are precisely in the same place as in the adult male; but 

 what seems most to oppose this sentiment, if the figure in the PI. enl. 

 be correct, is, that the feathers of the tail are not pointed, but 

 rounded ; nor does the tail itself end a point,* as we are taught to 

 believe it really does in both sexes. The bill too, is different in 

 shape and size in the PL enlum. more like that of the Scaup. 



The description of the female in Brunnich and the Fn. groenl. 

 runs thus — general colour of the plumage a mouse-coloured brown ; 

 the belly paler, spotted with white ; forehead, chin, region of the 

 eyes, and ears, whitish ; wing coverts, quills, and tail, like the back ; 

 under wing coverts like the belly; tail acuminated. We mention 

 the above authors, not knowing any others who have been more 

 conversant with the species in question. 



53 —BROWN DUCK. 



Anas fuscescens, Ind. Orn. ii. 849. Gm. Lin. i. 534. 

 Brown Duck, Gen. Syn. vi. 486. Arct. Zool. ii. No. 499. 



THIS has a large, bluish bill ; head and neck very pale brown ; 

 lower part of the last and breast the same, the feathers edged with 

 rust-colour ; wings cinereous grey ; speculum blue, tipped with 

 white; tail and legs dusky. — Inhabits Newfoundland. 



* It seems rather to correspond with the female of the Scaup. 



