Malayan Ornithology. 199 



the islands along the coast. In many respects it is very 

 Anserine^ whence its nanie^ having the short high bill; pure 

 white colourings and hoarse cry of the Goose tribe. 



The Goose Teal is generally found in small parties of from 

 four to ten^ often associating with the Whistling Teal ; and I 

 have on several occasions got specimens of both species at 

 one shot. 



They seem to prefer open sheets of shallow water to thick 

 cover, but on being disturbed become very shy and retire to 

 quiet creeks or back waters surrounded by jungle. Though I 

 often found them on flooded meadows, I rarely (in fact do not 

 think I ever) saw them actually on dry land. Their legs are 

 so short and set so far back that probably they seldon at- 

 tempt to walk/ but on the water are quite at home, swimming 

 and diving exceedingly well, and Avlien slightly wounded are 

 very hard to secure. 



I remember once trying for nearly half an hour to catch a 

 Goose Teal which fell winged into a shallow pool. It stayed 

 under water a marvellous length of time at each dive, and 

 when it did rise to the surface showed only its head, disap- 

 pearing again the instant I moved ; but at length I tired it out 

 and consigned it to the bag. These birds also have the power 

 of sinking their bodies below the water till nothing but their 

 head is visible, hoping thus to escape notice. 



One evening in Perak, while out bird-hunting, I came upon' 

 a small pool completely excluded from the outer world by the 

 most luxuriantly growing ju.ngle. From the overhanging trees 

 long slender creepers hung down in tangled masses to the 

 surface of the water, which was almost covered with aquatic 

 plants. To complete this beautiful piece of jungle-scenery, in 

 the centre of the pool was a Goose Teal, perfectly motionless ; 

 for, quietly as I had approached, it had heard me, and, thinking 

 it was unobserved, did not rise, but, all the time intently 

 watching my movements, slowly and noiselessly sank under 

 the water till nothing but its head remained above the 

 surface. 



When on the wing, the flight of these birds is very rapid. 



