THE RING-NECKED DECK. 
31 
the thorax contracted to 3 twelfths ; the proventriculus oblong, 10 twelfths 
in breadth. The stomach is a very muscular gizzard, of a transversely 
elliptical form, placed obliquely, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 2 inches 3 twelfths 
broad ; the right muscle 10 twelfths thick ; the left 9 twelfths ; the grinding 
surfaces of the epithelium longitudinally rugous, and of a brownish-red 
colour. Lobes of the liver II inches and 1 inch 1 twelfth long ; gall-bladder 
oblong, 1 inch long by 4 twelfths. The intestine makes 16 turns ; its length 
is 4 feet 7 inches, its width 4 twelfths ; duodenal fold 3 inches ; coeca 4 
inches 9 twelfths long, only 11 twelfths in breadth, narrower at the base 
and at the extremity ; rectum 3 inche s 9 twelfths long, 3 J twelfths wide. 
Trachea 6J inches long, a little flattened, carinate behind at the upper 
part, from 5i twelfths to 31 twelfths in breadth ; its rings moderately firm, 
unless at the back part, where they are cartilaginous ; 108 in number, with 
about 8 more incorporated with the tympanum, which is very large, of an 
irregular form, its projection on the right side having a semicircular carina, 
and a great portion of it being membranous ; its breadth 1 inch, its greatest 
height 1 inch 2 twelfths. Bronchi short, one of 25 half rings, the other of 
30. Muscles as usual in this family. 
THE RING-NECKED DUCK. 
Fuligula rufitorques, Bonap. 
PLATE GOGXCYin. — Male and Female. 
The Ring-necked Duck is abundant on all our western waters during 
autumn and winter. It is also met with along our Atlantic coasts ; but there, 
although I have seen many individuals on the Chesapeake and other large 
arms of the sea, it is by no means so plentiful as in the interior. Its flesh 
is excellent, equalling in my opinion that of any other Duck ; and when it 
has been feeding along the margins of rivers, creeks, or ponds, for a few 
weeks it becomes very fat, tender, and juicy, and has none of the fishy 
flavour of those species which are in the habit of diving deep for their food. 
In shape, the Tufted Duck, or Ring-bill, as it is called in Kentucky, resem 
bles the Scaup or Flocking Fowl, but is plumper and more rounded. 
