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MARBLED DUCK.

Anas (Fuligula) marmorata, 7emm

Le Canard marbré.

kind

We

For the specimen of this bird from which the accompanying figure was taken we are indebted to the
friendship of M. Temminck of Leyden, whose valuable works on Natural History are duly appreciated.
cannot pass over this opportunity of acknowledging the great liberality of this justly celebrated naturalist,
who has taken so much interest in the present work that he has promoted it by every means in his power,

not only by his individual patronage, but by confiding to us for our illustration many rare species peculiar to

remote districts of Europe, among which is the present species. Of its habits and manners we have no

M. Temminck, however, assured us that the sexes offer no difference in the colours of

detailed account.
to the

the plumage, a circumstance which we should not have expected, judging from the affinity it bears
Anas rufina, which, although at present comprehended in the genus Fuligula, may be said to possess
characters which claim for it a distinct generic station. Such genera, however, are of a subordinate
character and value, and although of real utility to the professed ornithologist, are less likely to interest the
eweneral reader.

The only information we can communicate respecting the present bird is, that it inbabits the southern
districts of Europe, particularly Sardinia and the Asiatic borders.

The crown of the head, back of the neck, the whole of the upper surface, flanks, and tail, of dull ashy
brown, each feather being tipped with dirty white; outer webs of the quill-feathers greyish brown, tips of the
inner webs the same colour as the upper surface ; secondaries pale brown ; cheeks and throat marked in the
same manner as the upper surface, but much lighter ; breast and the whole of the under surface dirty white,
each feather being barred near its extremity with dull ashy brown, which, together with the white tips of the

feathers on the upper surface, gives it somewhat the appearance of marble, whence its name; bill and feet

dark brown.
The Plate represents an adult bird rather less than the natural size.