Indian Birds 



^he Ducks, 229 and 230 



These being game birds do not come within 

 the scope of this work. Two species, however, 

 which are commonly seen are not usually shot 

 by sportsmen on account of their indifferent 

 flavour. These I describe. 



229. Casarca rutila : The Ruddy Sheldrake, 

 or Brahminy Duck. (F. 1588), (J. 954), ( - V.) 



This is a curious pale ruddy-brown bird, 

 whitish on the head. Tail and wings black. 

 Bill, legs, and feet blackish. 



This handsome duck is a winter visitor to 

 India. It is very abundant in N. India, less 

 abundant in S. India, not being found at all on 

 the Malabar coast. It invariably goes about in 

 pairs, which dwell in rivers rather than in 

 tanks. They are wary birds and a great 

 nuisance to sportsmen, since they warn other 

 water-fowl of danger. " It is difficult," writes 

 Blanford, " so long as one is on an Indian 

 river to get out of sight of these birds or out of 

 hearing of their peculiar clanging bi-syllabic 

 call or alarm cry, which is uttered frequently 

 on the smallest excuse." The cry is like a soft 

 " chakiva^^ hence the Hindustani name of the 

 226 



