SMALL WHISTLEK OR WHISTLING TEAL 57 



brown body and wings nearly all black will distinguish this 

 bird from all our species but the large whistler, of which more 

 anon. On the water it swims rather low, and the neck seems 

 long in proportion to the narrow body and very short tail, while 

 the wings fold so closely that the tips are not seen. This is 

 a small duck, only weighing a pound or a little over, but it is 

 absurd to call it a teal on that account ; the teal are pigmy 

 relatives of the typical ducks, while these whistlers are a very 

 distinct group, and in many w^ays are more like small geese 

 than ducks. The present bird is the most abundant of the 

 resident Indian ducks, and is found nearly all over the Empire 

 where wood and water are combined, even down to the 

 Andamans and Nicobars. But it is essentially a warm-climate 

 bird, and does not often ascend the hills, nor is it to be found in 

 dry treeless districts. In the Punjaub, where the migratory 

 ducks are so common, it is rarely seen. 



The sort of water it likes is that overgrown with weeds, and 

 here it is quite at home, be the water a village pond or an 

 extensive jhecl. At night it roosts on a neighbouring tree, 

 feeding among the weeds during the day, but seldom going 

 ashore to do so. On land it walks well and gracefully, though 

 slowly ; but it is essentially a water bird, and dives for food freely, 

 though its action in so doing is just like that of a coot, as it 

 springs high in starting, lifting its whole body out of the water. 

 Naturally, it is difficult to bring to book if wounded, but 

 Europeans generally refuse to regard it as game, owing to its 

 general tameness and slow flight. This is a mistake, for it occurs 

 in flocks of thousands where the locality suits it, and where it is 

 common it must greatly interfere with the game migratory 

 ducks. It is a most quarrelsome bird with others, attacking 

 in combination ; I have seen even four set on to one spotted- 

 bill in captivity. Even its own big cousin next to be described 

 comes in for its bullying, and gives way to it. The flesh of 

 whistlers is poor in most people's opinion, but will do for 

 soup, and is liked by natives. The food is water-plants and 

 snails, rice, &c. 



The birds breed usually in holes of trees or in the old nest 

 of some kite or crow, but they also make nests for themselves 



