2^4 BRITISH BIRDS, 
SMEW, 
OR WHITE NUN. 
(^Mergus alhellus, Lin . — Le petit Hark huppe, ou la Plette, BufF.) 
The Smew is about the fize of a Wigeon : the 
bill is i>early two inches long, of a duflcy blue 
colour, thickefl: at the bafe, and tapering into a 
more ilender and narrow fhape towards the point ; 
it is toothed like thofe of the reft of this tribe : the 
irides are dark : on each fide of the head, an oval- 
fhaped black patch, gloffed with green, is extended 
from the corners of the mouth over the eyes : the 
under fide of the creft is black ; the other parts of 
the head and neck white : the breaft, belly, and 
vent are alfo white, excepting a curved black ftrokej, 
