38 
RUDDY DUCK. 
behind ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus very short, compressed, with an 
anterior series of small scutella, an outer short series going to the fourth toe, 
the rest reticulated. Hind toe very small, with a free inferior web ; anterior 
toes very long, slender, the middle toe double the length of the tarsus, the 
outer almost as long, the inner considerably shorter, and having a broad 
lobed margin; the webs reticulated. Claws rather small, slender, compressed, 
slightly arched, acute. 
Plumage dense, blended, on the upper parts very soft ; on the fore part of 
the head stiffish ; on the lower parts with a silky gloss, and stiff, having the 
extremities broad, and the barbs strong and pointed. Wings very short, of 
moderate breadth, concave, pointed ; primaries tapering, the first longest, 
obliquely rounded. Tail short, much graduated, of eighteen stiff, narrow 
feathers, of which the shaft is very strong, and runs out in a flattened con- 
cave point. 
Bill and edges of eyelids greyish-blue. Iris hazel. Feet dull greyish- 
blue ; webs inclining to dusky ; claws greyish-brown. Upper part of the 
head and nape deep bluish-black, that colour running to a point about the 
middle of the neck ; a large white patch on each side of the head, from the 
bill to behind the ear, narrowed on the throat. Neck all round, and all the 
upper parts, as well as the sides of the rump, rich glossy brownish-red or 
chestnut ; the lower parts greyish-white, tinged with brown, and marked 
with transverse interrupted bands of dusky. Wing-coverts, quills, and tail- 
feathers, blackish-brown. 
Length to end of tail 141 inches, to end of wings 12§, to end of claws 
15, to carpal joint 7i ; extent of wings 21i ; wing from flexure ; tail 3J ; 
bill along the ridge If, along the edge of lower mandible If ; tarsus 1J ; hind 
toe and claw § ; inner toe II, its claw \ ; middle toe 2i, its claw § ; outer 
•toe 2f, its claw I. Weight II lbs. Average measurements of six indi- 
viduals. 
The black on the head of the male is sometimes marked with a few white 
feathers. 
Adult Female in summer. 
The plumage presents the same characters as in the male. The bill is of 
a darker greyish-blue ; iris as in the male ; feet darker. The top of the head, 
and all the upper parts, are dark reddish-brown, minutely dotted and undu- 
lated with dusky ; wings and tail as in the male ; lower parts duller than 
in the male, but similarly marked ; the throat, and a band from the base 
of the upper mandible to beneath the eye, brownish-white. 
Male one year old. 
Bill, eyes, and feet as in the adult. A similar white patch on the side of 
the head ; upper part of head and hind neck dull blackish-brown ; throat and 
