50 



BLACK DUCK. 



these spots is shorter and thinner than the rest; legs and feet 

 blood red; membrane of the webbed feet black; the primary quills 

 are of a deep dusky brown. 



On dissection the gullet was found to be gradually enlarged 

 to the gizzard^ which was altogether filled with broken shell fish. 

 There was a singular hard expansion at the commencement of the 

 windpipe; and another much larger about three quarters of an 

 inch above where it separates into the two lobes of the lungs ; this 

 last was larger than a Spanish hazel nut, flat on one side and con- 

 vex on the other. The protuberance on each side of the bill 

 communicated with the nostril, and was hollow. All these were 

 probably intended to contain supplies of air for the bird^s support 

 while under water ; the last may also protect the head from the 

 sharp edges of the shells. 



The female is altogether of a sooty brown, lightest about the 

 neck; the prominences on the bill are scarcely observable and its 

 color dusky. 



This species was also found by capt. Cooke at Nootka Sound, 

 on the north-west coast of America. 



