200 Lieut. H. R. Kelham on 



Skimming close over the reeds, they dodge along at use of 

 a great pace, and are far from easy to shoot. 



They breed in holes in trees, laj^ing several white eggs. I 

 was unable to find a nest, but think they breed in the north 

 of the Malay peninsula, as near Kwala Kangsar I noticed 

 that during June they paired and, leaving the open water, 

 retired to out-of-the-way places in the jungle, often selecting 

 the narrow creeks or inlets from a large jheel. 



Concerning the mode in which these birds, Cotton-Teal as 

 they are called in India, carry their young down from their 

 nests to the water, I had the following related to me by an 

 eve-witness, an officer in the Indian Civil Service. He was 

 stationed on the Madras coast ; but I forget the exact name of 

 the place. Anyhow, one afternoon, late in June, while out 

 riding he saw a Cotton-Teal leave a tree and fly down to a 

 pool of water wliich was near ; the bird^s peculiar flight, slow 

 and steady, so dift'erent from their usual rapid mode of pro- 

 gression, attracted his attention ; and riding closer, he saw it 

 had something resting on its back, which, 014 its reaching 

 the water, proved to be three or four young Teal. 



My informant then sent his native servant up the tree from 

 which the bird flew ; and at about twenty feet from the 

 ground he found the nest, containing several more young 

 birds, Avhich he brought down; and my friend took them home, 

 hoping to rear them in his poultry-yard ; but in a short time 

 they sickened and died. 



Specimens shot in Perak during May had their legs black, 

 but much tinged with yellowish green, which is the case, I 

 believe, only dui'ing the breeding-season. The difterence 

 between the plumages of the sexes is very marked, the female 

 being of much duller colours than the male. 



The following specimens I shot in Perak during April 

 1877 :— 



Male. Length 12^ to 13 inches; irides crimson ; legs and 

 feet greenish yellow tinged with Ijlack, webs* black ; face, 

 neck, and whole of the underparts pure glossy white ; a deep- 

 black ring encircles the neck ; top of head dark brown ; back 

 and wings beautiful metallic green Avith a rich purple tinge ; 



