The fine pair from which I made the two figures in the plate were given me by my friend Daniel Webster, Esq. of Boston, Massachusetts, whose talents and accomplishments are too well known to require any eulogium from me.
The flesh of this bird is generally esteemed, insomuch that many persons know no difference between it and that of the Canvass-back Duck, for which it is not unfrequently sold; but I look upon it as far inferior to that of many other ducks. Individuals of both sexes vary much in size. On comparing American with European skins, I am unable to perceive any difference of colour or proportions indicative of specific distinction.
Anas Ferina, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 31.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 862.
Red-headed Duck, Anas Ferina, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. viii. p. 110, pl. 70, fig. 6.
Fuligula Ferina, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 392.
Fuligula Ferina, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 452.
The Red-headed Duck, or Pochard, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 434.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXII. Fig. 1.
Bill as long as the head, deeper than broad at the base, the margins parallel, slightly dilated towards the end, which is rounded, the frontal angles rather narrow and pointed. Upper mandible with the dorsal line at first straight and declinate, then slightly concave, direct for a short space near the tip, where it is incurved, the ridge broad and concave at the base, narrowed at the middle, enlarged and convex at the end; the sides nearly erect at the base, becoming anteriorly more and more declinate and convex, the edges curved, with about 45 lamellæ, the unguis elliptical, and abruptly rounded at the end. Nostrils submedial, oblong, rather large, pervious, near the ridge, in an oblong depression covered with soft membrane. Lower mandible flattened, being but slightly convex, with the angle very long and rather narrow, the dorsal line very short and slightly convex, the erect edges with about 55 inferior lamellæ; the unguis obovate and abrupt.
Head rather large, compressed, convex above. Eyes small. Neck of moderate length, rather thick. Body full, depressed. Wings small. Feet very short, strong, placed rather far behind; tarsus very short, compressed, anteriorly with narrow scutella continuous with those of the middle toe, and having another series commencing half-way down and continuous with those of the outer toe, the rest reticulated with angular scales. Hind toe small, with an inner expanded margin or web; middle toe nearly double the length of the tarsus, outer a little shorter. Claws small, compressed, that of the first toe very small and curved, of the third toe larger and more expanded than the rest.