172 THE GREY OK SPOT-BILL DUCK.
I may take this opportunity of noting that I have no hope
even that the manner in which I have arranged our Indian
Ducks in genera will be generally approved. Nor am I even
prepared to assert that it is correct. The questions of the
number of genera that should be accepted amongst the Anatiniz,
and the manner in which the several species should be distributed
amongst these, arc very difficult ones, in regard to
which no two ornithologists are at all agreed. I have neither
had the time, nor have I the materials, for such a study of the
group as a whole as would enable me to form any independent
opinion on which I could rely, and I have therefore been
compelled to follow the views of others, accepting those that
seemed to me most to accord with what I know of the limited
number of species which occur within our limits. As it is,
I have grave doubts as to whether I ought to have accepted
the genus Chaulclasmns, and I am by no means sure that it
would not have been best to retain streperus under the generic
name Anas. I am inclined to suspect that Anas leuenptera
should become the type of a separate genus, and I think it
probable that Fuligula nyroca should be generically separated
from the rest of the Fuligulas. Still I have altered the
arrangement over and over again without being able to satisfy
myself; and at last, /ante di micnx, have fallen back on that
which I originally adopted, and must crave the indulgence of all
who differ from or disapprove this.