Anas Tadorna, LINNÆUS; Le Tadorne, BUFFON; Der Bruntente,
BECHSTEIN.
This species measures two feet from the tip of the beak to the extremity
of the tail; the beak is smooth, flattish, and of a scarlet colour; a
fleshy knob covers the upper base; the nostrils and nail at the end of
the beak are black; the feet are bluish red; the head and upper part of
the neck are duck green; the rest of the neck and belly are white; a
wide orange brown band crosses the breast; the back, with the
wing-coverts, is white; the scapulars are speckled with black; the first
quill-feathers are black, the following violet, the middle ones rusty
brown, and the last white; the speculum is green, reflecting a beautiful
violet; the feathers of the tail are white, tipped with black.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species, found in the north of Europe and Asia,
hollows out the sand by the sea-shore, or uses a forsaken rabbit's
hole, or some cavity in a rock, to form its nest in. The beauty of
its plumage has attracted the attention of amateurs, who tame it, and
keep it in the poultry-yard; but it is not useful, its flesh having
an unpleasant smell and flavour. It feeds with the other ducks, and
becomes very familiar; it ever appears intelligent.