298 duck. 



neck, but the spots are smaller, and most numerous on the sides ; 

 wing coverts rufous, spotted with black ; rump and upper tail coverts 

 dark brown, edged with rufous ; quills and tail dusky ; legs longer 

 than in the Common Duck, and lead-colour ; claws black. 



Inhabits Jamaica, where it is remarked for making a whistling 

 kind of noise, and is said to build in trees ; in some seasons migrates 

 into Guiana, and other neighbouring parts, and is valued for food. 

 I once received a living specimen from Jamaica, and kept it for some 

 time in my garden, but it was in the highest degree wild, and even 

 ferocious ; it would by no means become familiar, and rarely would 

 take any food, while any one was near to observe it. Is supposed to 

 frequent Carolina in the winter; at least one, like it in name, is said, 

 by Lawson and Catesby, to be on that coast. One of these in the 

 British Museum had the title of Opano Duck, which name, we are 

 informed, it bears at Guiana. 



63.— PIPING DUCK. 



LENGTH eighteen inches. Bill two inches long, and black ; 

 the crown, and the middle of the nape, to about half of the neck, 

 black brown ; the rest of the neck pale rufous, but the middle of 

 each feather is very dark, almost black, and the margins of the 

 feathers pale brown ; the lesser wing coverts ferruginous ; the others, 

 with the quills, brown ; belly pale ferruginous ; sides under the wings 

 striped black and white; sides of the rump black and brown; vent 

 dull white ; across the thighs mottled with pale ash-colour ; legs 

 black brown, and fully webbed. In one specimen the belly had 

 each feather dashed with brown down the shaft. 



Inhabits New South Wales, where it has obtained the name of 

 Whistling Duck, no doubt from the manners corresponding with 

 that bird, and probably having a similar whistling kind of note; is 

 observed to frequent the shores of the Coal River. 



