_Cyanopterus discors._
_Anas discors_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 313.
_Cyanopterus discors_, +Eyton+.
[125] Length 16 inches, expanse 24¹⁄₂, flexure 7¹⁄₄, tail 2¹⁄₂,
breadth of beak ⁶⁄₁₀, height ⁷⁄₁₀, rictus 1⁹⁄₁₀, tarsus 1⁶⁄₁₀,
middle toe 1¹⁸⁄₂₀.
This is one of the ducks which, being in high estimation for sapidity,
are largely brought to market in the towns. My acquaintance with it is
indeed confined to this condition. Robinson notices it, as frequently
met with in the wet months. He saw one in the yard of Edward Long,
Esq., of Spanish Town, where it fed amongst the poultry: “it was
coloured like that painted in Mr. Catesby’s History of Carolina, i. p.
100, and was known to be a female by having laid an egg, though Mr.
Catesby says the female is all over brown.” (MSS. ii. 120) Robinson
agrees with Browne in considering this a permanent inhabitant of
Jamaica, having known them shot, even during the dry season.
Of those which I examined, the stomachs contained coarse siliceous
sand, and small black seeds; the œsophagus of one contained several
small fishes.