136 INDtAN DUCKS 



not so well or thoLouj^hly, of coiu'se, as they did their first, and lay a 

 second clutch of eggs, which they ate allowed to hatch and rear in 

 peace. 



I have often been astonished at the pace these heavy birds will 

 tl\- at when entering their nests if these are placed in a steep sand- 

 bank facing the sea. The ducks plunge headlong in without any 

 hesitation, and never seem to make a mistake; as a rule, however, 

 the>- select rabbit-burrows on sloping hills facing away from the sea. 

 They are very particular in their choice, and their prints may be 

 seen in and about many burrows besides the one finally selected. 



Normally they lay from eight to sixteen eggs, generally ten to 

 twelve, but should the first clutch be taken, they lay another, and 

 in this way the number may reach as nmch as or more than thirty. 



The eggs are a ver\- beautiful pearly-white, extremely smooth 

 and very highly glossed. In shape they are typical ducks' eggs, 

 rather broad as a rule, sometimes lengthened, but never, as far as I 

 have seen, pointed at the small end. Hume says that they are some- 

 times a pale cream, but such I have never seen. Hartert gives the 

 following measurements for their eggs : — 



.Vvera^c of 100 ... Go'77 X 47'3 mm. 



Maxima }JJJI x 47'3 and 69'0 X 5U'0 mm. 



Minima (jlj_ x IH'O and 0:J'8 x jH'S mm. 



In northern Europe the breeding-season is from the beginning 

 of ]May to the middle of June, most eggs being laid between the 

 15th May and .5th of June. 



Morris C British Birds and their Eggs,' iii, p I'M writes : — 



" The eggs are ten or twelve or even more, it is said thirteen or 

 fourteen, or even sixteen in number ; but these in such cases may 

 have been the produce of two birds. They are nearly perfectly white, 

 having only a very faint tinge of green, and are smooth and shining. 

 They are equally round at l)oth ends. 



" The hen bird sits, as is believed, I'rom about twenty-six to thirty 

 days, her mate keeping watch hard by and taking her place in the 

 morning and evening while she picks up some food. 



" The young, when hatched, are either carried by their parents 

 in their bills to the water, or soon make their way thither themselves. 

 They hide themselves away at the approach of danger, the okl ones, 

 conscious no doubt that they are able thus best to tind securit\, flying 

 off themselves." 



