Anas Minor Purpureo Capite: The Bussel's Head Duck. As to the Size of this Bird, it is between the common Duck and Teal.
The Bill lead-colour; on each side the Head is a broad space of
white; except which, the whole Head is adorned with long loose Feathers
elegantly blended with blue, green and purple: the length and loosness
of these; Feathers make the Head appear bigger than it is, which
seems to have given it the Name of Bussel's Head, that Animal's
Head appearing very big by it's being covered with very thick long
Hair. The Wings and upper part of the Body have alternate lifts
of white and black, extending from the Shoulders of the Wings and
Back down to the Rump, viz. The Quill-feathers are black; next to
them extends a line of white, next to which is a line of black,
then a line of white, and then black, which covers the middle of
the Back. The Tail is gray; the Legs are red.
The Female is all over of a brown colour; the Head smooth, and
without a Ruff; the Legs and Feet brown. They frequent fresh Waters,
and appear in Carolina only in Winter.
95

|
|