VELVET DUCK. 
171 
pounds ; the bill is broad, a little elevated at the base, where 
it is black, the rest red, except the lower mandible, which is 
of a pale yellowish white; both are edged with black, and deeply 
toothed ; irides, pale cream ; under the eye is a small spot of 
white ; general colour of the plumage brownish black, the se- 
condaries excepted, which are white, forming a broad band 
across the wing ; there are a few reflections of purple on the 
upper plumage ; the legs are red on the outside, and deep yel- 
low, sprinkled with blackish, on the inner sides ; tail, short and 
pointed. 
The female is very little less than the male ; but differs con- 
siderably in its markings. The bill is dusky ; forehead and 
cheeks, white ; 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 ; v/ing-quills, deep brown ; belly, brownish white ; tail, 
hoary brown ; the throat is white, marked 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 inha- 
bits Denmark 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 re- 
main with the young until they are able to fly. In the river 
Ochotska they are so numerous that a party of natives, con- 
sisting 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, killing such 
numbers that each man has twenty or thirty for his share.* 
History of Kamtschatka, p, 160. 
