A. moschata, Lin. Scc. Muscovy, Cairo, Guinea, or In dian Duck, or, more properly, Musk Duck, since the Latin specific appellation is significant of its musky odour, originating from the liquor secreted in the gland of the rump. Face naked, with red caruncles; the general plum age dusky brown, and glossy on the back with green ; a large white spot OD the wings; the bill, legs, toes and webs red. The female is more uniformly of a dusky brown, with fewer reflections; and she is also smaller in size. In the domesticated state, however, the varieties and shadings are indefinite. The native country of this excellent addi • tion to our poultry-yards, is now ascertained to be South America; for Azara observes, that it is the most common species of wild duck in Paraguay and the neighbouring provinces. In these countries, the musk ducks perch on high trees, by the sides of rivers and marshes, on which they also fix their nests, breeding twice or thrice in the year, and the female laying each time from twelve to eigh teen round and greenish-white eggs. The moulting com mences in September, and is so suddenly completed, that the birds, rendered incapable of flight, are caught alive by the inhabitants. In general, however, they can be taken only by surprise, being as shy as our wild ducks; and yet they have readily submitted to domestication in various countries of both continents. They arc larger than the common domestic species, are almost mute, ea sily fattened, and very fertile. The male is very ardent in courtship, and readily intermingles with the females of congenerous species, so as to occasion cross hybrid breeds. When prepared for the table, the rump and head should be removed.
spectabilis, Gmel. Lath. &c. King Duck, or Grey headed Duck. Base of the bill laterally prolonged on the forehead into two processes, which rise in the form of crests ; bill and legs of a fine vermilion hue. Inhabits the extreme north,"and was often observed by our navigators in the late northern expeditions, but was too shy to ap proach the ships. As it seldom ventures to any consid erable distance southward, its history is still imperfectly known. It is a highly elegant species ; and its manners are presumed to be analogous to those of the preceding; but the eggs are said to be elongated and of an olivaceous ash.
A..fusca, Lin. &c. Velvet, or Great Black Duck, or Double Scoter. No protuberance at the base of the bill ; wing-spot small and white ; tarsi and toes red. Almost the whole plumage of a deep velvet black ; a white cres cent under the eyes, webs black. Length from twenty to twenty-one inches, and weight about three pounds two ounces. The female is rather small, and has the general plumage dusky, inclining to brown. Inhabits the arctic seas of both continents, Norway, Sweden, the Orkneys, Hebrides, &c. and retires southwards in winter to the coasts of England, Holland, France, &c. and in America, as far as Ncw York. They are not often found on the British shores. They consort with the nigra ; and are sometimes taken in the fishermen's nets, but are extremely shy. They are constantly diving, chiefly in quest of shell-fish.
They breed within the arctic circle, under tufts of grass or shrubs, the female laying eight or ten white eggs.
d. nigra, Lin. &e. Black Diver, Black Duck, or Scoter. Wants the wing-spot ; tarsi and toes brown ash ; a protuberance on the forehead ; nail of the bill much de pressed and rounded; tail very conical. Length from nineteen to twenty-two inches ; extent of wing thirty-four inches, and weight about two pounds nine ounces. This species abounds in the north of Europe, Asia, and Ame rica, frequenting chiefly the seas, or its shore's, and seldom flying far up into the country. It is very partial to shell fish, for which it dives with great vigour and address. It breeds within the arctic circle, but migrates southward in autumn and winter, and is sometimes found on the coasts of Holland and France in great flocks, diving for prey. On our British shores it is either less frequent or less an object of search, its fishy flavour inducing us to reject it as a food, whilst it seems to constitute its principal merit with our continental neighbours, who are allowed to eat it during Lent. Hence numbers of them are frequently caught in nets, purposely spread for them, on the coast of Picardy, &c.
A. glacialis, Lin. &c. Long-tailed Duck, or Swallow: tailed Shield-Drake. In Shetland and Orkney, Caloa, or Coal and Candle Light, from a fancied resemblance of its long and plaintive winter-call to these words. Dr. Barry has, by mistake, applied this local appellation to A. acuta. Bill very short, black, with a transverse red stripe ; a large patch of chesnut-brown on the sides of the neck. Length from twenty to twenty-one inches, owing to the elonga tion of the middle tail feathers ; but the bir'd is only about the size of a pigeon. Inhabits Europe, Asia, and Ame rica, frequenting both the interior lakes and the sea-shores of these quarters of the world. The birds of this species do not, like many of the other tribes, entirely quit their northern haunts in winter, but considerable numbers re side permanently in the polar regions. Numerous however, spread themselves southward in the winter, from Greenland and Hudson's Bay, as far as New York in America ; and from Iceland and Spitzbergen, over Lap land, the Russian dominions, Sweden, Norway, and the northern parts of the British isles in Europe. The bands which visit the Orkneys appear in October, and continue there till April. About sunset they are seen in large companies, going to and returning from the bays, in which they frequently pass the night, making a noise, which in frosty weather may be heard at the distance of some miles. They are rather scarce in England, to which they resort only in very hard winters, and even then in small strag gling parties. They fly swiftly, but seldom to a great distance, making a loud and singular cry. They are ex pert divers, and supposed to live chiefly on shell-fish. The female places her nest among the grass, near the wa ter, and, like the eider duck, lines it with the fine down of her own body. According to Dr. Latham, she lays five eggs, which are of a bluish-white colour, and about the size of those of a pullet.