DUCK. 30 J 



The male is found to vary exceedingly, especially about the 

 head and neck,* and has a tracheal labyrinth, which is placed the 

 same as in the Mallard ; it is rounded on one side, and flat on the 

 other ; in shape irregular ; the flat surface is for the most part open, 

 except round the rim, and an irregular bony arch crosses it from side 

 to side ; independent of these, the surface is covered with a delicate, 

 flue elastic membrane, stretched over in the manner of the head of 

 a drum. See the plate above referred to. 



From these birds varying so much in plumage, it is no wonder 

 that some of the males have been taken for the other sex, and it 

 seems only of late, that this has been determined. I owe the first 

 hint of this to the late Mr. Tunstall, but the positive certainty of the 

 circumstance to that indefatigable naturalist the late Mr. Boys, who 

 was at the pains to procure me several specimens. 



The Scaup Duck is not uncommon in England in the winter, 

 but not confined to the sea coast, being frequently met with in fresh 

 waters. Is supposed to feed on broken shells, called scaup, whence 

 the name. It is amusing to see their great facility in diving when 

 kept tame, and which these birds readily submit to. 



Is found in the northern parts of Europe; common on the northern 

 shores of Russia and Siberia, most frequent about the great River 

 Ob; breeds in the north, migrating southward in winter; however, 

 if the same as Scopoli's bird, it must breed in the more southern 

 parts, as it is very common in Carniola, on the Lake Zirchnichew, 

 where it makes the nest in subterraneous hollows in the banks ; 

 and this author observes, that they are often killed in vast numbers, 

 by the countrymen, with clubs : being driven out of their holes in 

 the full sunshine, in the middle of the day, which blinds them, so 

 as to prevent their being able either to resist, or fly away. 



Inhabits America, as high as Hudson's Bay ; comes there in 

 May, and retires in October. We find it also as far southward as 



* Wilhighby says, that among the pack of forty or fifty, you shall not find two alike. 



