X INDIAN DUCKS 



A further complaint which is equaUy sure to be raised will 

 refer to tlie change in the names of many ducliS which we 

 have all known and accepted for so long. To this I have but 

 the same answer as that which I have already repeatedly 

 given. The names we have hitherto used are not correct, and 

 therefore cannot be retained, and in justice to the man who 

 first named any species that name must be used. It may 

 inconvenience some of us of the older generation, but the 

 newer will learn to know the bird by its correct name, and 

 will suffer injury neither to his sentiments nor to his 

 convenience. 



The classification adopted is practically that of Blanford 

 in the fourth volume of the Avifauna of British India. Since 

 that book was written, some ornithologists have lumped genera 

 together, whilst others have placed almost every duck in a 

 separate genus. Convenience and facilities to the student 

 seem to advise a medium course between these two, and so 

 this has been the course adopted. 



Some of the plates in the first edition have been replaced 

 by new and better ones, and others have been improved ; a 

 fuller index has been given, and a complete list of the authors 

 and their works referred to in the synonymy. 



To facilitate reference each species has been dealt with in 

 the same manner: (1) Sj'nonymy, (2) Descriptions of male, 

 female and young, (3) Distribution, (4) Nidifieation, and 

 (5) General habits. 



It will be noticed that in this edition the title has been 

 altered to " The Game-Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon — 

 Ducks and their allies (Swans, Geese and Ducks)," as this 

 edition now forms the first volume of the series of " The 

 Game-Birds." The second volume will be the Snipe, Bustards 

 and Sandgrouse, just published; the third volume will be the 

 Pheasants and the fourth the Partridges. 



I have to record my very cordial thanks to the Authorities 

 of the British Museum for the kindness with which they have 

 allowed me to work in their galleries, for the constant 

 assistance given to me in my work, and for placing at niy 

 disposal so vast an amount of material and so excellent a 

 library. In this connection I would especially wish to thank 

 Messrs. R. Ogilvie Grant and W. L. Sclater, who were in 

 charge of the Ornithological Department during the time I 

 was employed in revising the first edition. 



London, E. C. StuaRT Baker. 



July, 1921. 



