GENUS STICTONETTA (Reickenback). 



rpil IS is a very singular form, comprising one species, which is nearly allied to OhaulelasmnA. It is a rare bird 

 and w as only known in the southern and western colonies when Gould wrote, though he was of opinion that 

 it would he found in the interior, —a supposition that later research has verified —and now such hirds are 



occasionally found as far cast as the seaboard of New South Wales. 



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STICTONETTA N(KYOSA. (Gould.) 

 FRECKLED DUCK. Genus Stictonetta. 



TIMI BB B is no stronger proof of the rarity of this Duck than the fact that we know nothing of its habits or 

 economy. Two specimens came into Gould's hands from which he could infer very little. He found upon 

 dissection that the stomach was very muscular, and contained small fish and minute shells. 



The freckled plumage seems a permanent garb, and not affected by seasonal changes; the speculum 



common to most male ducks is absent. The egg is longish in shape and slightly swollen about the upper 



quarter, and has both ends nearly alike; the surface smooth or greasy; the colour of a greenish white, tinge; 



length, two inches six lines and a-half by one inch eight lines. 



The whole of the plumage is a freckled dark brown and white, caused by spots with irregular oblong 

 marks of white in the direction of the feathers; the under surfaces are speckled of a lighter shade ; primaries, 

 plain wood brown ; secondaries and tertiaries, freckled at the tip ; irides, light brown ; bill, greenish grey, 

 becoming much darker at the tip ; legs, bluish green. 



Total length, seventeen inches. 



Habitats : Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts (New South Wales) ; Interior, Victoria and South 

 Australia ; West and South-West Australia. 



