W M A )
Genus UNDINA, Mihi.
Ge n . Char. Beak elevated and protuberant at its base, with a furrow on the upper ridge;
anterior half very much depressed and broad. Nostrils situated at the junction of the
elevated and depressed portion. Wings very short, pointed, and concave ; the first quill-
feather the longest, the scapularies reaching to the end of the wing. Tail cuneiform, and
composed of twenty narrow stiff feathers, unprotected at the base by coverts both above
and below. Legs placed far behind. Tarsi flattened, and much shorter than the toes.
Toes long, and fully webbed, the outer one the longest; hind toe situated high on the
tarsus and lobated. General plumage dense, glossy, and adpressed.
W H I T E -H E A D E D DUCK.
Undina leucocephala, Mihi.
Anas leucocephala, Linn.
Le Canard couronné.
On attentively inspecting the genera comprising the European Ducks, as instituted by modern naturalists, it is
evident that the present species is not referrible to any one of them at present recognised.
The contour of its form, the character of its plumage, and especially that of its graduated tail, composed of
stiff elastic feathers, together with the large feet and the elevated position of the posterior lobated toe,
indicate it to be exclusively aquatic in its habits ; so near, in fact, does it approach the genus Hydrobates of
M. Temminck, containing the Lobated Duck of New Holland, that we have no hesitation in asserting it to form
the type of a closely allied genus.
The White-headed Duck is almost entirely restricted to the eastern countries of Europe, being very
abundant in Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Austria ; hence in Germany, France, and Holland it may be
considered unknown. In its native countries it chiefly inhabits large sheets of saline waters and arms of
the sea ; and we are informed by M. Temminck, that so exclusively aquatic are the habits of this bird that its
nest is even so constructed as to float upon the water, being composed of reeds and other water-plants.
Although we have no account of its powers of diving, or mode of progression in its native element, we cannot
for a moment doubt that it possesses every facility for making active and vigorous exertions in its congenial
element. Its stiff elastic tail and waterproof plumage tend to support an opinion that, like the Cormorant
and Darters, it swims almost entirely submersed beneath the surface, while its short concave wings and
broadly webbed feet also assure us that in the power of diving it is second to none.
Its food is said to consist of molluscous animals and fishes.
The female differs from the male more in the obscurity of her markings and in the general dullness of her
colouring than in any decided contrast, a circumstance in which we may again trace a resemblance to the New
Holland Duck already alluded to.
Beak fine bluish lead colour ; crown of the head black ; forehead, cheeks, throat, and occiput pure white ;
chest, flanks, scapularies, and the whole of the upper part, of a fine reddish brown, transversely intersected
with irregular zigzag lines of blackish brown; quills and tail black; under surface dull russet brown; tarsi
and feet brownish ; irides fine yellow.
The Plate represents an adult male of the natural sizp.