322 INDIAN DUCKS 



Aitken. In the Persian Gulf (the form here is possibly the western 

 one) however, it has been frequently obtained, and possibly closer 

 search on our extreme north-western coast might produce more 

 birds. It haunts the larger streams and rivers, keeping to such as 

 have a distinct current and clear water, generally avoiding the more 

 sluggish dirty rivers with muddy bottoms. From what observers 

 have noted, the Goosander likes, rather than dislikes, a rough 

 current, and in the same way it does not appear to be at all troubled 

 by a rough sea ; thus Dresser notes meeting a flock in the sea near 

 Guernsey, which was in water rough enough to make the steamer 

 he was in dip its paddle-boxes alternately into the water. 



Lakes and still water are not frequented when clear running 

 rivers are adjacent, but sometimes the Goosander may be found 

 on such, though in these cases the water will almost invariably be 

 found to be free of much vegetation and fairly clean and clear. 

 Captain Gudlestone, however, obtained two females on a jheel near 

 Cawnpore, which was dry except for three or four small pools of 

 water. 



At the same time, on the Subansiri, Dehing, and Dibong I 

 nearly always found them in the backwaters and dead pools cut 

 off from the river. When in the actual rivers themselves they 

 were generally in deep still pools, but I have sometimes seen them 

 in very strong rapids, where they seemed to enjoy themselves 

 immensely ; and they are quite at home in the rough tumbling hill- 

 streams which they frequent in their summer home, and will there 

 be found swimming and diving at their ease with or against the 

 roughest and quickest rapids, as well as sometimes floating idly 

 in some deep pool. 



In such places as these the Goosander may occasionally be 

 surprised, the well- wooded banks allowing a near approach and 

 screening the stalker until he actually arrives on the edge of the 

 bank itself. As a rule, however, the Goosander is one of the 

 wariest and wildest of birds, and this whether on salt or fresh 

 water. Should he consider that danger is coming too near, his 

 wonderful powers of swimming are at once called into action to 

 place him out of danger ; if hard-pressed he resorts to diving, at 

 which very few birds can surpass him, though he is said not to 



