212 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Observation. — The genus Netta, Kaup, of which the present species is 

 the type, differs from Xyroca in having sixteen instead of fourteen tail- 

 feathers and a longer bill. 



This handsome species is not uncommon in Tunisia in winter and 

 spring, and is probably partially resident in the Regency, as well as 

 in Algeria, where it is abundant in some localities. Loche states 

 that it is resident on the lakes of that country, while Canon Tristram 

 met with the species, not only at Lake Halloula in the north, but 

 also as far south as the ^\^ed-R'hir and at El-Aghouat in the Algerian 

 Sahara. Salvin also found the species in numbers in the marshes of 

 Zana, and writes (Ibis, 1859, p. 363) as follows concerning their 

 nesting in that locality : " In the open pools at the upper end of the 

 marsh of Zana I used frequently to see several pairs of the Red- 

 Crested Duck. Two nests only were obtained. The second lot, 

 consisting of seven eggs, were of a most brilliant fresh gi'een-colour 

 when unblown ; the contents were no sooner expelled, and the egg 

 dry, than the delicate tints were gone, and their beauty sadly 

 diminished." Canon Tristram writes {Ibis, 1860, p. 164), concerning 

 this species and its nesting that at Halloula he " obtained a single 

 egg of the Red-Crested Whistling Duck in the open swamps. My 

 companion shot the bird as it rose from the nest. Fidigtila rufina 

 breeds sparingly at the lake, but remains there throughout the winter. 

 The males appear to desert the locality as soon as the females sit, 

 and are never seen again until the end of the autumn. I have 

 observed that the female erects her scanty crest in imitation of her 

 mate, and proudly throws back her head, wallcing with a stately gait. 

 The nest is like that of the Coot, but not so large, better concealed, 

 and without the gangway of rushes built by the other." 



Although rare in Northern Europe, this Duck is not uncommon 

 in many parts of the South of the Continent. In Sicily it is fairly 

 common in winter and spring on the east coast of the island, and 

 breeds in the marshes and lakes near Catania and Lentini. 



At the Pantano di Catania I have seen the species in pairs during 

 the month of March, and Doderlein (Avif. Mod. et Sic. p. 265) states 

 that in Maj', 1867, he obtained a pair of these birds, together with 

 their young brood, in that neighbourhood. 



The Red-Crested Pochard, as a rule, frequents fresh-water lakes 

 and marshes, and is rarely to be met with on the sea-coast. It is 



