Art. XXXV.—On a Supposed New Species of Duck.

By A. C. Purdie.

[Read before the Otago Institute, 16th September, 1871.

The duck in question was shot some time ago at Kaitangata, and sent to town by Mr. J. P. Maitland, Clutha. It was one of a flock of fourteen, which was seen on the Lake there, and supposed to be a new species, at least to the district, none of the settlers having seen it previously. This duck differs from all the Anatidœ in our collection, which includes all those mentioned in Buller's list but two, viz, the white-winged duck, identified by Buller as Nyroca Australis, of Gould, and one which Buller named Anas gracilis, identified by Dr. Finsch as Anas gibberifrons.

Extreme length from tip of beak to tip of tail, 15.4in.; beak, 1.75in.; tail, 3in.; colour of beak yellowish brown mottled with black, tip hooked and horny; top of head greenish brown, sides of head lighter, shading into light grey on throat; front of neck and upper part of breast greenish yellow, running into rich yellowish brown with bars of black (on breast); belly to vent white; under tail coverts, yellowish white; over thighs (tibia) a yellow band, with black margins meeting at tail coverts, a few of which are long and turn over the back, giving a rather gay appearance, meeting in a yellow spot on the back above the tail; tail black, with ten primary feathers 3 inches long; tail coverts yellow, tipped with black; back dark brown, with a greyish tinge; wing coverts greenish brown, fringed with white; greater wing coverts greenish brown; primaries of wings brown, with no speculum; wing, from flexure to tip, 9.6in.; legs and feet reddish brown colour; length of tarsus 2.1in.; tibia, 1.9in.; middle toe, 1.5in.; back toe, .9in.; well webbed.^*