The Pink-headed Ducks. 293 



five hundred yards from water. They lay 

 from five to ten eggs in a nest. Both 

 the male and female have been started 

 simultaneously from the vicinity of the 

 nest, but whether the former assists in 

 incubation is uncertain, though judging 

 from the loss of weight during the breed- 

 ing season, the male must be in constant 

 attendance at the nest." 



The call of this Duck, according to 

 the same writer, resembles that of the 

 Mallard, with a slight musical ring about 

 it. The stomach of a specimen which Mr. 

 ShilHngford examined contained water 

 weeds and various kinds of small shells. 



Jerdon, who was perhaps as well ac- 

 quainted with this Duck as any one, 

 writes : — " It shows a decided prefer- 

 ence for tanks and jheels well sheltered 

 by overhanging bushes, or abounding in 

 dense reeds, and in such places it may 

 be found in the cold season in flocks 

 of twenty or so occasionally, but generally 

 in smaller parties of from four to eight. 

 During the heat of the day it generally 

 remains near the middle of the tank or 

 jheel, and is somewhat shy and wary." 



The eggs of this Duck are very re- 

 markable. They are extremely smooth 

 and polished, and very nearly spherical 



