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WESTERN DUCK.

Fuligula Dispar, Steph.

From the circumstance of an example of this very rare Duck having been obtained in February 1830 at
Caisted near Yarmouth in Norfolk, about which period another specimen was also killed in Denmark, we
have much pleasure in figuring it as an interesting addition to our native fauna. The drawing from which
our figure of the first-mentioned specimen (now in the Norwich Museum) is taken, was presented by Joseph
Clarke, Esq., to the Saffron Walden Natural History Society, in whose Museum it is deposited, and to whom
we are indebted for the loan of the drawing.

The above is the only instance of its capture in Great Britain, and it appears to be equally rare on the
Continent. It is a native of Northern Asia, Siberia, Kamtschatka, and the north-western coasts of America:
it is said to breed in high and precipitous rocks, and to fly in extensive flocks.

We have followed Mr. Selby and others in placing it provisionally in the genus Fuligu/a; for like that gentle-
man, not having seen the bird itself, we are unable to decide upon its true station among the Anatide ; but
from its general contour, the disposition of its colouring, and the curved form of the tertials, we should conceive
that it more properly belongs to the genus Somateria.

Space between the bill and the eye green, and on the back of the head a patch of the same colour, forming
a short crest; throat and an irregular spot behind the eye black ; the remainder of the head and neck white ;
throat surrounded by a band of black glossed with green ; back, rump, vent, and under tail-coverts black ;
primaries and tail brownish black; lower part of the neck, part of the scapulars, and lesser wing-coverts
white ; breast and all the under surface rufous, becoming darker as it approaches the vent; tertials long and
curved; the shaft and the narrow inner web white; the outer web broad and deep bluish black ; irides pale
brown ; bill and legs blackish grey.

Our figure is of the natural size.