214 
ANAS FUSCA. 
The velvet duck measures twenty-three inches in 
length, and two feet nine inches in extent, and weighs 
about three 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 
secondaries 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 yellow, sprinkled with blackish, on 
the inner sides ; tail, short and pointed. 
The female is very little less than the male ; but 
differs considerably 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 ; wing-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 inhabits 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 1 
leave the females to remain with the young until they 
are able to fly. In the river Ochotska they are so 
numerous that a party of natives, consisting 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 . ■ J 
