THE RED-CRESTED POCHARD. 261 
The picture of the female is fairly good, but the under sur- 
face is rarely quite as white as is therein depicted ; it is generally 
a greyish whitey brown. The white margins to the feathers of 
the interscapulary region and upper back are traces of imma- 
turity, entirely wanting in the old adult. 
During the cold weather young males may be met with in 
every stage of plumage between that of the female and the old 
drake. } 
In the spring the white thigh patch and wing lining of the 
old male are often strongly tinged with a delicate salmon-rosy 
hue, which, however, almost entirely fades out of skins. 
