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lower mandible, as in the drake ; the whole of the underparts white mottled with brown, an effect produced 
by each individual feather being brown in its basal portion and white at the tip. Another differs in having 
all the upper parts stained with pale umber-brown. 
There is a smaller form in the Canterbury Museum, several of which were obtained at Lake Ellesmere. 
It is of a more chestnut hue than ordinary specimens, but on a careful comparison I can find nothing to 
distinguish it from the present species. 
Nestling. Has the down thickset j the upper parts pale clove-brown, the underparts white ; a dusky collar round 
the neckj an obscure white spot on each wing, and a smaller one on each side of the rump, the hair like 
filaments on the upper parts rather long, very fine in texture, and perfectly black; irides dark brown; bill 
reddish brown, the under mandihle yellow, with a brownish tip ; feet light brown, both these and the bill 
having a fine polish. 
This small Duck has all the habits of a true Scaup, although it is generally called by other names. 
It is freely distributed over the country, frequenting most of the rivers and lagoons, but seldom being 
met with in the bush-creeks, and never on the open sea-shore. In winter it associates in large flocks, 
mingling freely with the Grey Duck and other species ; but at other times it is more generally met 
with in pairs or in parties of four or flve together. Its powers of flight are very feeble ; it takes 
wing with reluctance, and never rises high in the air, generally only skimming the surface ; but it is 
a very expert diver, and usually trusts to this faculty for eluding pursuit. Even when mortally 
wounded it will often escape by this means, and take refuge in the dense sedge, whence it can only 
be dislodged by a retriever well trained to the work. 
It is interesting to watch a flock of these birds disporting together in the water standing up on 
their feet and flapping their wings, splashing the water as they chase one anothei, swimming under 
the surface, and performing other playful antics, accompanying them with a soft sibilant note and, 
at intervals, a feeble quack-qimck. 
This Duck is semi-nocturnal in its habits, and when the eel-flshing parties light their flres on the 
banks of the stream this inquisitive bird swims close up to the spot, and manifests the utmost 
curiosity in what is going on. 
It is naturally a fearless bird, and in waters where it is protected it becomes very tame. I have 
never heard of any attempt to domesticate it ; but this might, I think, be very easily accomplished, 
and there can be no doubt that it would be a very acceptable addition to the English duck-ponds. 
It builds its nest of grass and lines the interior with soft down from its own body, placing it 
among the swamp-vegetation in situations contiguous to its haunts, or in the centre of a “ negro-head 
just above the level of the water. The eggs vary in number from five to seven, or even more, and 
are of a rather large size for such a bird, measuring 2 ‘5 inches in length by I 75 in breadth , they 
are of a rich dark cream-colour. 
Mr. Travers informs me that he found a nest of this species containing seven eggs as late as the 
17th of March *. He took three away ; and the remaining four were hatched out in due course. 
The old birds were remarkably tame, allowing him to approach within a few yards of them, then 
hustling off the nest and returning to it again as soon as he had withdrawn himself. He remarked 
this very curious fact — that, during incubation, the duck was accustomed on leaving the nest to conceal 
the eggs by a covering of duck-weed taken dripping wet from the lake. He observed this on several 
occasions, and on examining the eggs afterwards he found that although quite wet they were perfectly 
warm. As already mentioned, the eggs were duly hatched in spite of these repeated wettings, 
* Since writing the above I have met with several instances of unhatohed clutches as late as the last week in March. 
