270 INDIAN DUCKR 



Hume's eggs vary in length ))etween 111 ;infl '1''2 iiiclies, and in 

 In'eadth between 1'4 and 1'5-i. I kave two eggs '2'2r) inches long, but 

 in all others both breadth and length come within these extremes ; 

 on the other hand, whereas Hume's series average 2"1 X 1'49 inches, 

 mine average 2'12 X 1'45, showing them, as I have already said, to 

 he rather narrower and longer proportionately. 



General Habits. — The kind of water preferred by the pochard is 

 that also which forms the favourite resort of the White-eyed 

 Pochard. I have, however, found them in all and any sort of water. 

 Wandering up and down the hill-streams, clear deep pools and 

 rushing torrents of shallow water following one another in rapid 

 succession, I have often disturbed small flocks of the White-eye ; 

 and I have equally often found a pair or a small flock in the very 

 dirtiest and smallest pools of stagnant water. It is often found in 

 sea-water, vide Sinclair, who says that it is " the sea-duck of the 

 Alibag coast." where they " ride generally just outside the surf, 

 where they are safe from disturbance from passing boats." 



Where there are wide stretches of water, clear here and there in 

 patches, but for the most part covered with water-plants, and with 

 shores thickly lined with weeds, I'i.-c, the White-eye assembles in 

 vast numbers, but not in very large flocks. These (the flocks) may 

 number anything between half-a-dozen and over fifty, but even of 

 the latter number there will be but few. Then, again, the birds 

 lie so scattered and far apart that they keep rising in ones and twos, 

 giving the impression that they are only consorting in pairs or very 

 small flocks, and of course many single birds and jiairs are really 

 met with. 



As showing the numbers in which these ducks are found in 

 suitable localities, it is worth notice that, in the ' Asian,' a bag of 

 ducks was recorded as having been shot in Chapra, which contained 

 I^ST) duck ; but out of this no less than 187 were White-eyes. No 

 doubt their manner of rising is a very admiral)le trait for any duck 

 to possess, and the White-eye has other good points as well. As a 

 rule it is a decidedly tame bird, still lingering in amongst the reeds 

 and other jungle long after nearly all other ducks have left, rising 

 well within shot when disturbed, and often not going far before again 

 seeking the water. It gets off the water badly, fluttering about and 



