PLATE CCXVIII. 



This bears a general refemblance to the Wild Duck, Anas Bofchas ; 

 and is confidered as a variety of that fpecies by Dr. Latham. Linnaeus 

 defcribes it as a diftincl; fpecies under the name Adunca ; and it 

 cannot but be iuterefting to afcertain the bird Linnaeus defcribes as 

 a fpecies, whether it be really only a variety or not. We fliall there- 

 fore offer no apology for its introduction in this place. 



The figure of the Hook-billed Duck in the annexed plate is taken 

 from a very fine fpecimen in our Mufeum. The length is twenty-five 

 inches : the form more flender than the Wild Duck in general : the 

 neck white ; the legs thicker, the ftianks riling in a projection at the 

 commencement above the foot, and again at the knee, and the bill 

 incurvated in a moft lingular manner. 



The lingular incurvation of the bill might eafily fuggeft an idea 

 that it could be no other than an accidental deformity ; but this can- 

 not be the fact, mice the fame character prevails unerringly throughout 

 the whole race. 



PLATE 



