70 INDIAN DUCKS 



It is a stout, sturdy little bird, equally good on water, and land, 

 and in the air ; its flight is direct and strong, similar, though inferior 

 in speed to that of the Common Teal ; it walks well and quickly, and 

 swims with a jaunty carriage, getting over the water at a great pace. 

 I can find nothing on record about its powers of diving, but, judging 

 from its shape and plumage these are not likely to be of the best. 



Schrenk says that when in Amoor, about May to August, they 

 are very wild and shy, not allowing an approach within gunshot ; he 

 also states that they perch freely on trees. This is confirmed by all 

 other observers ; indeed, Finn (' Fancy Water-Fowl ') says that the 

 Mandarin perches as readily as a pigeon. 



This same naturalist, one of our best observers and a specialist 

 on Water-Fowl, remarks : — 



" Another attractive point about tliis lovely Duck is that he, 

 more than any other duck, is a bird of position, and much given to 

 showing himself off hy raising his crest and slightly expanding his 

 wings vertically, so as to bring the wing-fans perpendicular and to 

 display the beautifully striped flights, while when standing he often 

 curves his neck back and throws out his breast like a Fantail 

 Pigeon. He certainly looks at such times as if he were conscious 

 of his beauty, and his little brown mate, as she caresses his orange 

 hackles, must surely admire him. 



" He is a great fighter, and will even kill ducks of his own kind 

 should he not approve of them." 



In spite of their pugnacity, however, they have a reputation in 

 China for being wonderfully faithful little birds to each other. 

 Indeed, Canel says (p. 155) that : — 



" A pair of these birds are frequently placed in a gaily decorated 

 cage, and carried in their marriage processions, and are afterwards 

 presented to the bride and bridegroom as worthy objects of their 

 emulation." 



The same author, in describing their flight, writes : — 



" Whilst on the wing these parties cro^vd closely together in 

 front, whilst the birds in the rear occupy a comparatively free 

 space." 



