CASARCA 139 



Genus CASARCA. 



The genus Casarca consists of four species, of which four the 

 widest-spread is the well-known Indian Brahminy. Of the others, 

 C. cana is confined to South Africa, C. variegafa to New Zealand, 

 and C. tadornoides to Australia and Tasmania. Of the four, also, 

 the Indian is the only migratory one, the others being local 

 residents or only locally migratory. The bill differs from that 

 of Tadorna in being no broader or narrower at the tip than at 

 the base. The lamella also are more prominent at the base of the 

 upper mandible, whereas in Tadorna they are more developed 

 towards the tip. 



Both sexes have a rudimentary spur on the shoulder (carpal 

 joint). 



(23) CASARCA FERRUQINEA. 

 THE RUDDY SHELDRAKE OR BRAHMINY DUCK. 



Anas ferruginea, Pallas, Vroeg's Cat. Adiun. p. 5 (176-1), (Tartarei). 



Casarca rutila, Jerdon, B. of I. iii, p. 791 ; Hume, S. F. i, p. 260 ; Adams, 

 Ibid. p. 401 ; Hume, Nests d Egrjs, p. 641 ; Ball, S. F. ii, p. 4.37 ; Hume, 

 ibid, iii, p. 193 ; Butler, ibid, iv, p. 28 : Scully, ibid. p. 198 ; Fairbank, 

 ibid. p. 264 , Butler, ibid, v, p. 234 ; Hume d Davis, ibid, vi, p. 489 ; 

 Hume, ibid, viii, p. 115; Scullij, ibid. p. 362 ; Hume dMuisli. Game-B. 

 iii, p. 123 ; Oates, S. F. x, p. 245 ; Salcadorl, Cat. B. M. .\xvii, p. 177 ; 

 Blanford, Avifauna B. I. iv, p. 428; Stuart Baker, J. B. N. H. S. xi, 

 p. 676 ; id. Indian Ducks, p. 114 (1908) ; Betham, J. B. N. H. S. .\ix, 

 p. 751 (1909) ; Thornliill, ibid, xxv, p. 439 (1918). 



