Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/528

452 Chaulelasmus streperus, Linn. (Gadwall).—This is one of the commonest Duck found here in the cold weather. They begin to arrive very early, as in the year 1900 I saw a big flock on August 20th at Dalsingh Serai. I have never found this species shy unless they have been shot over a good deal. They seem to have no favourite haunts, and are found alike in both deep and shallow water. They are good divers when wounded, and I have always found the female better at concealing herself than the male.

Nettium crecca, Linn. (Common Teal).—Extremely common from November to March.

Mareca penelope, Linn. (Wigeon).—Scarce. I have very seldom seen this species, and possess very few specimens.

Dafila acuta, Linn. (Pintail).—Very common, arriving towards the end of October and leaving in February. During the cold weather of 1897 this Duck came in such enormous numbers to feed in the rice-fields as to do considerable damage to the crop.

Querquedula circia, Linn. (Garganey or Blue-winged Teal).-—This is about the commonest Duck here in the cold weather, and one of the earliest to arrive, as I have seen several in August. It is possible that some remain to breed in the plains, as has been suggested by some ornithologists, but there is no authentic record of its having done so as yet.

Spatula clypeata, Linn. (Shoveler).—Fairly common. They begin to arrive in November, and stay sometimes to the end of April. This species is very wary and difficult to approach, and is the first Duck on the water to take alarm. It does not dive when wounded (at least, this is my experience), as most Ducks do, but tries to reach cover if there be any near.

Netta rufina, Pall. (Red-crested Pochard).—Extremely common, arriving in October and leaving in March.

Nyroca ferina, Linn. (Pochard).—Scarce. A small flock was seen at Dalsingh Serai in January, 1900. I bought off a native fowler a fine male in November, 1900, and shot another at Dalsingh Serai in January, 1901, out of a small flock. Mr. F. Finn, in his book, 'How to know the Indian Ducks,' says: "A male's eyes have been observed to change colour from red to yellow when it was handled." This was the case with the first