n
1
t
1- rol l [si mI
I 1
1
11 (jig
I
II
m .
I
A -
1 Ü §Pspf
illtflillSl
■
, f l :
H k
■i— i
sHffllSiiSlB fftl ■
H I
w \
i y | i i
eil
¡ l l l l f
lIilllililsiil il '1j
S i
W :
h U B S
T U F T E D DUCK.
Anas cristata, Ray.
Fuligula cristata, Stepk.
Le Canard Morillon.
T his elegant little Duck is one of the regular winter visitors of our island, where it arrives in autumn and
distributes, itself very generally over, lakes, meres, large ponds, armlets of the sea, and similar situations, in
which temporary residences it is most frequently seen in pairs, repeatedly diving in search of food, which is
obtained exclusively at the bottom of the water, and consists, for the most part, of various freshwater shellfish,
Crustacea, worms, and mollusca; to this food it occasionally adds aquatic vegetables. Although generally
observed inland in pairs, it is not unfrequently to be seen in considerable flocks enlivening the shores of the
sea, particularly those of a rocky nature. In the power of diving, the Tufted Duck possesses the same facility
as the rest of the Lobefooted section to which it belongs, being extremely quick in all its motions, and on
this account difficult to be shot. On the approach of spring it retires northward to breed, and like many of
its congeners makes the morasses and the unfrequented regions of the arctic circle an asylum in which to
rear its young. The range of its migrations southward is very considerable: we ourselves have received
it from the southern portions of Europe, and also from those parts of the Mediterranean which are near the
Asiatic confines; we have also seen it from the Black Sea, and from every intermediate country as far as the
high northern latitudes. It abounds in many parts of Northern India, especially the high lands. The
collection from the Himalaya mountains which afforded the materials for our ‘ Century of Birds,’ contained
several specimens. Although its stout and rounded figure does not contribute much to its elegance, its
plainness is relieved by the graceful pendent crest which flows from the head and occiput.
The Tufted Duck is brought to the London market in considerable numbers during the winter; and although
often seen at table, its flesh is not, we believe, of the most delicate quality.
The sexes may be distinguished by the lesser comparative brilliancy of the colours of the female, and by
her having the rudiments only of the flowing crest, the colour of which, as well as of the breast, is brown, with
faint traces of the violet gloss so conspicuous in the male, whose plumage may be thus described:
The top of the head and the long pendent silky crest rich violet black; neck and chest greenish black;
upper part of the plumage glossy brownish black, with very minute grey specks scattered over the seapularies ;
speculum of the wings and under surface white; bill lead colour; nail black; legs and toes brownish black..
The young of the year are devoid of the pendent crest; the whole of the plumage is of a more obscure
tint; and the feathers of the upper surface are edged with brown.
The plate represents a male and female rather less than the natural size.