348 DUCK. 



little more than an inch, or dilated to more than four; and being 

 cartilaginous, the joints easily recover their tone ; from this part 

 downwards the whole is bony, swelling - out into a double expanded 

 enlargement, covered in part with a skin as in others.* 



This species is not unfrequent on our coasts in winter, appearing 

 in small flocks, but passes northward in spring to breed ; inhabits 

 Sweden and Norway during the summer; is an excellent diver, and 

 feeds on small shells; is rarely seen on land, as it is very awkward 

 in walking. Attempts have been made to domesticate this bird, but 

 it seems out of its element when on land, and with difficulty can be 

 brought to eat any thing but bread ; the feet, too, soon get injured, 

 so as finally to prevent it walking at any rate. The flesh is much 

 esteemed, and the birds are often brought to the markets under the 

 name of Pied Wigeons. Is found in Greenland, but considered there 

 as a rare species ; is seen in North America in winter, as low as New- 

 York ; in summer frequent at Hudson's Bay, on the fresh water 

 lakes ; makes a round nest of grass, lined with feathers from the 

 breast ;f lays from seven to ten white eggs; is called there 

 Miste pe squa pe wew. 



108— MEXICAN DUCK. 



Anas novae Hispaniae, hid. Orn. ii. 868. Gm. Lin. i. 525. 

 Quei-quedula Mexicana, Brls. vi. 458. Id. 8vo. ii. 480. 

 Toltecoloctli, Metzcanahachtli, Rail, 175. 

 Sarcelle du Mexique, Bvf. ix. 285. Descr. Surin. ii. 158. 

 Mexican Duck, Gen. Syn. vi. 539. 



SIZE of our Teal ; the upper mandible blue, the under black; 

 irides black ; the head is fulvous, with a mixture of blackish, and 

 glossy greenish blue ; between the bill and eye a large white spot ; 

 neck and body white, speckled with black dots, most numerous on 

 the breast ; scapulars and upper tail coverts the same ; under tail 



* Seethe figure in the Linncean Transactions. t In hollow trees.— Faun. suec. 



