NESTS AAV i^GiJS OF AU ST KALIAN BIKDS. 105 I 



In addition to the white across the wings, the under tiiil coverts are 

 white. Tlic eyes arc also white, hence the chstiuctive name of the bird. 

 The balauce of the phmiage in geuei-al is cliestuut or diirk-browu. 



Tlie White-eyed Duck is an exceedingly swift llier. The hghtning 

 like rapidity with wliicli a flock sometimes tlies down stream, especially 

 with a good breeze behind, often bailies the best spoi-tsmau for a 

 successful shot. 



Authenticated eggs of the VVhite-cyed Duck are rare in collections. 

 If Gould, as he states, had eggs of this species taken on the banks of the 

 Derwent, Tasmania, he did not describe them. Eggs were fii-st des- 

 cribed by Dr. Kamsay, 1882. The examples m my cabinet were from 

 a clutch (incompleted, probably) of seven, from which a bird was 

 Jluslied, and they were Uiken from a hollow tree, Riverina, by the late 

 Mr. Gdbert 13ateman. He also took two sets, each containing eleven 

 eggs, from box-trees (eucalypt). Several seasons Mr. Bateman observed 

 these Ducks used to breed during September or October at Eurola, 

 Kiverina. Tiie White-eyed Duck does not always lay in trees. I was 

 advised of a nest found on the groimd by some shooters on " ihe 

 Marsh," just north of Lake Bael Bael, V'ictoria. In December, 1894, 

 a friend of Mr. G. H. Morton, of jMurray Meadows, foimd a nest with 

 eight eggs of the White-eyed Duck on the ground. 



Toucliing the number of eggs laid by this Duck, I have mentioned 

 two instances of eleven each, but Mr. Tom Musgrove, a rehable obser- 

 ver, recollects distinctly counting a young brood of tliirteen. In the 

 " Catalogue ' of the Australian Musemn it is officially stated that seven 

 to nine is the number of eggs for a sitting. It is left to some other 

 oologist to prove which statement is correct. 



In concluding my general observations anent oui" edible Ducks, 

 I may bo allowed to remark that, when Ducks are about, open season 

 or not, it is very tempting to go shooting. Many persons, especially 

 those in the bush, go shooting on Simday, seemingly unaware that it 

 is an offence against the police statutes to cany a gun on that 

 day. W^ith regaixl to shooting in close season, it is to be hoped that 

 the people of Australia will see the wisdom of not " killing the Geese 

 that lay the golden eggs," or else, sooner or later, we shall be hedged 

 about with fierce enactments and objectionable g^m licenses for the 

 proper protection of birds, as in Canada and elsewhere. As has been 

 truly said, '' CiviUsed man is Nature's worst enemy." 



Sub-family — ERisM.\TURiN.a;. 



760. — Erismatuea australis, Gould. — (594) 

 BLUE-BILLED DUCK. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii., pi. 17. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvii., p. 451. 

 Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — (iould : Birds of Australia (1848), 

 also Handbook, vol. ii., p. 380 (1S65). 



GtiHiraphical Di<trihiitv,n. — Victoi-ia, New South Wales (Riverina), 

 South and West Auslraha, and Tasmania (accidental). 



