T U F T E D DUCK
Fuligula cristata (Leach.)
TIJFTED DUCK.
FULIGULA CRISTATA [Leach).
Anas cristata, Leach, Syst. Cat. M'. & B. Brit. Mus. p. 39
(1816).
Anas fuligula, Linn. S. N. i. p. 207; Naum. xii. p. 64.
Fuligula cristata, Macg. v. p. 121; Hewitson, ii. p. 430;
Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 430; Dresser, vi. p. 573.
Le Morillon, French; Reiher-Ente, Hauben-Ente, German;
Pelucon, Coquinero, Spanish.
Common in most parts of the British Islands as an
autumnal or winter visitor, and breeds in a good many
of our English counties as well as in certain localities
in Scotland and Ireland. Although frequently met
with on the coast, the Tufted Duck decidedly prefers
fresh to salt-water; it is an expert diver, but in that
performance cannot equal the Scaup or the Pochard.
The Tufted Duck thrives and breeds well in captivity,
the young birds are much more easily reared than those
of the Pochard.
This is one of the most common of Wild-fowl in
certain parts of the Mediterranean during the winter,
but in others is almost unknown. I found it especially
abundant on the great salt lagoon of El Baheira, close
to the city of Tunis.