observedin Oudh and Kumaon. 249 



203. Casarca rutila. (" Ruddy Shieldrake.") " Braliminy 

 Duck " of Europeans. " Chukwa " of natives ; probably so called 

 from its cry. 



Very common in the cold season on the large rivers and lakes ; 

 seldom seen on the small jheels, except in the vicinity of rivers. 

 Immense flocks^ during the day^ rest on the sand-banks of rivers, 

 and towards dusk these flocks break up into pairs and disperse 

 in various directions. Should one bird be killed, its mate will 

 not leave the spot, but continue flying round for some time, 

 calling repeatedly. It is a shame to shoot them, as their flesh 

 is proverbial for its dryness and other bad qualities. There is a 

 strange Hindoo legend about the Chukwa, the pith of which is 

 that any person who kills one is for ever after doomed to 

 celibacy. 



204. Spatula clypeata. (Shoveller.) 



Very common on the shallow jheels in the cold season, pre- 

 ferring those jheels in which the water is about four or five 

 inches deep. 



205. Anas boschas. (Wild Duck.) 



Numerous in some localities during January and February. 



206. Anas pcecilgrhyncha. ("Big Duck" of European 

 sportsmen.) 



Exceedingly common in the cold season ; occasionally noticed 

 in June, July, and August ; generally seen in pairs, or in parties 

 of from three to eight in number, and is more partial to rivers 

 and deep jheels than the shallow muddy jheels. This Duck and 

 the Shoveller are seldom seen on the same piece of water ; the 

 latter alwayo seeking its food in very shallow water, as also do 

 the Common Teal and the Pintail, both of which I have often 

 killed at the same shot. With the exception of A. boschas and 

 the next species, this Duck is the most wary of any, — Teal, 

 Gadwall, and the Pochards being the tamest. There is scarcely 

 any difference between the note of A. boschas and this Duck 

 when alarmed. 



207. Anas caryophyllacea. (Pink-headed Duck.) 

 Three times seen towards the end of the rainy season — twice 



VOL. III. S 



