162 WHITE-HEADED DUCK. 



Velvet Scoter; of an extremely rough, texture, unlike 

 that of any other Duck, more resembling the egg of 

 the Bean Goose, but far more coarsely grained, and 

 of a dull white colour. "The habits and flight of the 

 bird are more like those of a Grebe than a Duck. It 

 often saves itself by diving, and remains under water 

 for a considerable time." Mr. Tristram did not meet 

 with this Duck. in Eastern Algeria. Mr. Tristram does 

 not say that the nests he found were floating. Tem- 

 minck says they float like the nest of a Grebe. 



The bird when swimming is submerged in the water, 

 except its head, and its stiff tail acts as an excellent 

 rudder to steer it about. Its legs are placed beyond 

 the centre of gravity, so that it cannot walk. It is, 

 however, an expert diver, as stated by Mr. Tristram, 

 and for this its organization beautifully adapts it. 



I am very glad to have the opportunity of figuring 

 one of the eggs taken by Mr. Tristram on Lake 

 Halloula, as well as a male bird from the same 

 locality. 



This specimen, killed on the 15th. of April, 1856, 

 and therefore in the breeding plumage, has the top of 

 the head and occiput black, with the forehead, nape, 

 cheeks, and base of under mandible white; neck and 

 throat black; back, scapularies, upper wing coverts, and 

 flanks reddish brown mottled with grey and white; the 

 sides of the chest and upper tail coverts deep red 

 brown; tail black; lesser wing coverts dull brown, 

 edged with minute black and white spots; primaries 

 and secondaries very short, and brown; chest deep red 

 brown, spotted with black; crop and abdomen dirty 

 glossy (Grebe-like) white, covered thickly with black 

 spots, more or less distinct. The short and singularly 



