So far as is at present known, the Pink-Headed Duck, the sole representative of the group, is restricted to the Indian Empire. Judging from the general style of its plumage, and especially from the colour of the primaries, it seems to be allied to the Pochards, and to bear the same relationship to those Ducks that the Grey Ducks do to the True Ducks. It is noticeable that the lobe of the hind toe in the Pink-headed Duck is comparatively small, but this may be a modification to suit altered habits. Very little is known of the habits of this Duck, and I cannot learn whether this species is a diver, or a surface-swimming Duck. It will probably prove to be the former.
In the Pink-headed Duck, the sexes are not very dissimilar, and the differences chiefly lie in the coloration of the head. The bill is of equal width throughout, and the profile of the upper mandible is nearly straight. The head is not crested, but the feathers of the hindneck and back of the crown are slightly lengthened. The wings are weak, the secondaries being of considerable length. The middle toe is about half as long again as the tarsus.
