The Sheld-Ducks. 83 



The Common Sheld-Duck is usually a 

 sea-coast bird, but in India, where suitable 

 sea-coast is restricted, it is found chiefly 

 on the larger lakes and rivers. It is 

 altogether so uncommon in many parts of 

 its Indian range that its habits have not 

 been closely studied by Indian naturalists, 

 and therefore with respect to their habits 

 I shall quote extensively from English 

 authors who have had better opportunities. 

 But first I shall record a few remarks 

 by Mr, Hume. He says: — "Like the 

 Brahminy Ducks, they are essentially shore 

 birds ; until disturbed, I never saw one 

 swimming about in the open water. They 

 are either prowling about on the land 

 near to the water's edge, or else paddling 

 in the shallows close to this latter. With 

 us they are always seen in pairs, or in 

 small parties of three to five in number — 

 never in considerable-sized flocks. They 

 walk with more ease than the Mallard, 

 more like the Barred headed Goose, but less 

 pompously and with quicker steps. They 

 rise and fly more Hke other Ducks, with 

 less noise and more rapid beats of the wing 

 than either the Bar-head or Brahminy." 



Seebohm, whose accounts of the habits 

 of birds are always so complete, remarks : — 

 " The breeding-grounds of the Sheldrake 



