WILD FOWL. 
95 
is black, the rest red, except the lower mandible, which is of a 
pale yellowish-white ; both are edged with black, and deeply 
toothed; hides, pale cream; under the eye is a small spot of 
white; general color of the plumage brownish-black, the sec¬ 
ondaries 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 
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 Den¬ 
mark and Russia, and in some qarts of Siberia is very common. 
It is also found at Kamtscliatka, 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 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.” 
The mode of shooting this bird as practised on the south side 
of Long Island, is thus described by Mr. Giraud; his remark 
about the error in overloading is perfectly true, and I have 
alluded to the same vicious habit of using unduly large shot, in 
my remarks on upland shooting. 
“ When migrating, it flies high, performing its long journey 
from its breeding place at the North in silence. It arrives 
