v\iiK. 16.] 24 



Marbled Duck. — Its favourite liannis, says Hume, in 

 Siiifl were broads thickly grown witli rush in wliich it 

 fed and sported, comparatively seldom showing itself in 

 the open water. 



Red-crested Pochard. — They are open-water l)irds by 

 choice, frequenting large sheets of water unobstructed by 

 surface- weeds, reeds, or water-plants, except about the 

 shores or banks. Of course, where they are most common, 

 a few birds may be met with in any kind of water, but it 

 is rare for any large flock to be found on vegetation- 

 covered swamps, small dirty ?7).i/s, etc. (Stuart- Baker.) 



Tfie Pochard,— There is practically no kind of water, 

 votes Stuart-Baker, that they will not visit (■ometimes in 

 greater or smaller numbers, but, preferentially, they leave 

 alone shallow jhils and waters and also such as have the 

 vegetation everywhere dense ; on the other hand they do 

 not care for quite open water without vegetation of any 

 kind whatever. 



White-eyed Duck. — The kind of water preferred by 

 the Pochard is also that which forms the favourite resort 

 of the White eyed Pochard, snyi Stunrt-Bnker. I have, 

 however, he continues, found them in all and any sort of 

 water. Where there are wide stretches of ater, clear 

 here and there in patches, but for the most p rt covered 

 with water-plants, and with shores thickly co . 'red with 

 weeds, etc , the White eye assembles in vast numbers^ 

 but not in very large flocks. 



Tufted Duck — Essentially requires, says Stuart-Baker 

 open water and in preference resorts to wide expanses of 

 water of some considerable depth in the centre .hough 

 more or less weed and rush overgrown round the shores. 

 Not often to be found on open tanks whose shores are free 

 of jungle, nor on rivers, except where tliese debouch into 

 the Plains and the duck are entering or leaving India. 



SUMMARY, KEY 3. 



A. — Ubiquitous. 

 Gradwall. 



* Common Teal. 



B. — Birds of the Open, Bri'jtl Water, 

 Red crested Pochard. 



C. — Birds of the Larger Waters. 



* Mallard (fairly ubiquitous). 

 Wigeon (likes turfy banks). 

 Pintail (doesn't like deep cover}. 



■* Garganey (often any kind of water). 



Aotc— Found also on rivers. 



