| OCR Text |
Show 1875.] TRACHEA OF CERTAIN DUCKS. 153 thinned rings; in the female (fig. 2) there are only 12 of the same. In the latter there is no lateral diverticulum from the syrinx; but in the former, from the left side, as usual, one is developed, entirely osseous, irregularly compressed, and very small, not having a diameter in any part greater than that of the trachea itself (vide figs. 1 & 2). In the male specimen the caeca are 3 and 2\ inches long ; in the female not quite 2 inches. Their diameter is inconsiderable, not exceeding 1 of an inch. The whole intestinal canal measures between 4| and 5 feet; and the gizzard is decidedly small, not being bigger than that of a common Duck (Anas boschas). 2. RHODONESSA CARYOPHYLLACEA (Lath.). Anas caryophyllacea, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 110. This rare Duck is generally placed in the genus Anas; by Mr. Eyton, however, it is considered to belong to the Fuligulina; and that ornithologist puts it, along vi\t\\Fuligula rufina, in the genus Callichen. A pair purchased by the Society on the 12th of January last year, Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 4. Lower part of trachea of Bhodonessa caryophyllacea S (front view). Fig. 5. Ditto (side view). died, the female on the 11th and the male on the 15th of March, 1874. From these two specimens I was able to remove the windpipes for examination. The structure of the syrinx of the male is in favour of |
