50 
SURF DUCK. 
bles the thumb nail of a man ; irides white, or very pale cream ; 
whole plumage a shining black, marked on the crown and hind- 
head with two triangular spaces of pure white ; the plumage on 
both these spots is shorter and thinner than the rest ; legs and feet 
blood red ; membrane of the feet black ; the primary quills are of 
a deep dusky brown. 
On dissection the gullet was found to be gradually enlarged 
to the gizzard, which was altogether filled with broken shell-fish. 
There was a singular hard expansion at the commencement of the 
windpipe ; and another much larger about three quarters of an 
inch above where it separates into the two lobes of the lungs ; this 
last was larger than a Spanish hazel-nut, flat on one side and con- 
vex on the other. The protuberance on each side of the bill 
communicated with the nostril, and was hollow. All these were 
probably intended to contain supplies of air for the bird’s support 
while under water ; the last may also protect the head from the 
sharp edges of the shells. The interior membrane of the gizzard 
is very tough and strong, resembling leather. On dissecting one 
specimen I found in its gizzard a muscle two and one eighth inches 
long, and one and one eighth inch wide. 
The female is altogether of a sooty brown, lightest about the 
neck ; the prominences on the bill are scarcely observable and its 
color dusky. 
This species was also found by capt. Cooke at Nootka Sound, 
on the northwest coast of America. 
Although naturalists describe this Duck as peculiar to Ame- 
rica, yet Temminck informs us that some stragglers have been 
found at the Orkney Isles : he consequently records it among the 
birds of Europe. 
