138 



VELVET DUCK. 



The female is very little less than the male; but differs con- 

 siderably in its markings. The bill is dusky, forehead and cheeks 

 whitCj under the eye dull brownish; behind that a large oval spot 

 of white ; whole upper parts and neck dark brownish drab ; tips 

 of the plumage lighter, secondaries white ; wing quills deep brown; 

 belly brownish white; tail hoary brown; the throat is white, mark- 

 ed with dusky specks ; legs and feet yellow. 



Latham informs us that this species is sometimes seen on the 

 coast of England, but is not common there ; that it inhabits Den- 

 mark and Russia, and in some parts of Siberia is very common. 

 It is also found at Kamtschatka, where it is said to breed, going 

 far inland to lay; the eggs are eight or ten, and white; the males 

 depart, and leave the females to remain with the young until they 

 are able to fly. In the river Ochotska they are so numerous that 

 a party of natives, consisting of fifty or more, go off in boats and 

 drive these ducks up the river before them, and when the tide ebbs 

 fall on them at once, and knock them on the head with clubs, kill- 

 ing such numbers that each man has twenty or thirty for his share.^ 



* Hist. Kamtselsiitka, p. 160. 



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