The male has the head, neck, and upper breast rich chestnut brown, the rest of the upper parts brown, under parts white. The female is duller. It may always be recognised by the white irides. Length 16 in.; wing 7·75 in.
THE TUFTED DUCK
Fuligula cristata (Leach)
This species is the commonest of our Diving Ducks, nesting in increasing numbers on many of our inland waters throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland.
In winter, as is the case with most Ducks, large numbers arrive from abroad, and may be found in shallow bays, estuaries, and inland waters in company with other species.
In food and habits it much resembles the Pochard, and is very good eating after it has been in inland waters for some time.
The nest is placed on rushes, and the eggs, which sometimes number as many as thirteen, are greenish buff, and are said to hatch after about twenty-three days’ incubation.
The adult male has the crest, head, and neck purplish black; speculum white. Under parts, including the flanks, snow white. Bill slate grey; eye golden yellow; legs bluish. In the eclipse plumage it becomes much browner, somewhat resembling the female.
The female is sooty brown above and greyish brown below, and her crest is much shorter than that of the male. At the end of summer she becomes white round the base of the bill for two or three months, but individuals vary much in this respect. The young resemble the female, and have a whitish forehead. Length 17·25 in.; wing 8 in.
THE SCAUP DUCK
Fuligula marila (Linnæus)
Breeding in the far north of Europe this species visits us in considerable numbers during the winter, feeding on molluscs, crustacea, and small fish, which are plentiful on our low, flat, alluvial shores. It goes about in large flocks, and although obtaining much of its food by diving, it is also fond of feeding on the soft ooze left bare by the receding tide. The note is a harsh “scaup.”