334 duck. 



Birds,* and valued much for the excellent flavour of the flesh ; are 

 known also by other names, as Attile Duck, Red-headed Poker, 

 Great-headed Wigeon, Blue Poker, and Dun Cur. We believe 

 that they rarely breed in this kingdom, but have been ascertained so 

 to do by Mr. Youel, who informs us, that several were seen in May 

 on Scoulton Mere, in Norfolk, sitting on their nests, and with the 

 young nearly excluded .f They come into France the end of October, 

 in small flocks, from twenty to forty, and one has been shot there in 

 July ; in winter found far to the south. Forschal describes it fully 

 among the birds of Cairo, where its Arabian name is Batt.J To the 

 North is found as high as Drontheim, and in the great rivers and 

 lakes in all latitudes of the Russian Empire. Is well known in 

 America, in winter as low as Carolina,! and is probably the Red- 

 headed Duck of Lawson ; sometimes seen in the rivers and ponds 

 about Georgia, but is rare ; is known there by the name of Brown- 

 headed Duck and Sheldrake ; it feeds on small fish and shells, and 

 has a hissing voice ; the flight rapid and strong ; the flocks form no 

 particular shape in flying, but mix indiscriminate. These birds will 

 bear confinement in the menagerie.§ 



A — Penelope nigra, Bris. vi. 389. A. Id. Svo. ii. 463. Gen. Syn. vi. 524. 68. A. 

 Ind. Orn. ii. 863. /3. 



This Variety differs from the last in a few particulars. The bill 

 is black, with a blue base; irides yellow; head and neck chestnut; 

 the lower part ash-coloured on the sides, and blackish before; the 

 back, rump, and tail, of this last colour; breast and belly brown, 

 mixed with dusky and ash; wings mixed black and white; legs 

 olive ; webs and claws black. — Originally described by Aldrovandus, 

 but where found was not mentioned by him. 



* The female of the Wigeon is also so called. f Lin. Trans, xiii. 616. 



X Faun. Arab. \\ Cates. %Orn. Die. Supp. Col. Montagu kept one for 



three years, at the end of which it was tame, and in good health. 



