BIRDS OF TASMANIA 227 



Eggs. — "Clutch eleven to thirteen; elliptical in shape, texture 

 of shell comparatively fine ; surface glossy and greasy ; colour light 

 creamy- white. Dimensions in inches of a pair: — (1) 2.27 x 1.67, 

 (2) 2.26 X 1.64" (A. J. Campbell). 



Breeding Season. — September to November. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, Australia, New Zea- 

 land, New Caledonia, and several other islands in the South 

 Pacific. 



Observations. — Shooting begins 1st February, ends 30th June. 

 Among shooters the "Widgeon is much sought after, it being con- 

 sidered by many a better table bird than some of the commoner 

 species. On account of its rapid flight, it is one of the most diffi- 

 cult birds to shoot; this, combined with its comparative scarcity, 

 does more to make it a desirable bird in the eyes of shooters 

 than its problematical superiority of flfc-vour. On the Tamar, Der- 

 went, and other rivers it may be found in small numbers feeding 

 in company with Teal, Black Duck, and Shoveller; in addition to 

 rivers it frequents a number of the lakes and larger lagoons. 



Sub-Family — Erismaturinae. 



BLUE-BILLED DUCK 



(Erismatura australis, Gould). 



Male. — Head, neck, and throat black; back, chest, and flanks 

 rich chestnut ; wings and tail brownish-black ; under tail coverts 

 brownish-grey, with dark brown markings; bill bluish to bluish 

 lead colour. Dimensions in mixi. : — Length, 395; bill, 45; wing, 

 158; tail, 70; tarsus, 39. 



Female. — Uniform blackish-brown, with transverse zig-zag 

 lines of chestnut-brown ; the under surface is more greyish -brown, 

 the feathers being tipped with yellowish. 



Nest. — "Not unlike that of a Musk-Duck, well concealed in 

 the herbage of a marsh or swamp, and lined with grass and down " 

 (A. J. Campbell). 



Eggs. — Clutch two to nine or ten (Gould); four or five 

 (Campbell) ; six (J. C. FitzGerald, quoted by A. J. Campbell) ; 

 fairly oval in shape ; texture of shell coarse ; surface slightly 

 glossy ; colour light greenish-white. Dimensions in mm. of odd 

 examples :— (1) 66 x 47, (2) 70 x 49, (3) 68 x 48. 



Breeding Season. — August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, South and Western Australia. 



Observations. — This little-known Duck is found in various 

 parts of the island, but is scarce everywhere. I have records of it 

 from the river Tamar, Piper's Edver, and Lakes Crescent and 

 Sorell, The first recorded Tasmanian specimens (a pair) were 

 secured at Cambridge, May, 1892. 



