2 WATER FOWL OF INDIA AND ASIA. 
a greater extent engaged the attention of amateurs of 
birds. Out here, of course, the unsettled habitation of 
many of us forbids much keeping of pets, but to the 
retiring Anglo-Indian, or to him whose lines are cast in 
one place for his whole service, I can cordially recommend 
the “‘ waterfowl fancy, ”’ 1f he cares for birds at all. 
Returning to Ducks as game, the pleasure of making 
a bag is much enhanced, to any one who knows his 
birds, by the possibility of securing a rarity, which is 
particularly great in the case of Ducks. I do not think 
that the record of rare ‘“‘ occurrences "’ is by any means 
the highest form of ornithology ; but out here the pursuit 
ofitis atleast not harmful, as it too oftenis at home, and 
is indeed important, seeing the vast area we have to deal 
with. And any extensive Duck-shooting, or even 
searching a market or native fowler’s catch, is likely to 
result in some “ find ’’ of value to the naturalist. 
How to Distinguish a Duck. 
Having said this much by way of introduction, we 
may proceed to the means of distinguishing a Duck 
when the bird has been obtained by means legitimate or 
otherwise. Most people know a Duck or Goose at sight. 
but there are exceptions, and for the sake of these weak 
brethren, I must ask those whose knowledge is greater to 
excuse what will seem to them unnecessary details. I 
have heard of one sportsman exhibiting a Cormorant, 
and another a Coot, as a Duck ; and as Dabchicks have 
been offered to me in the Calcutta bazaar as Teal, I 
presume that particular “sell ’’ has been worked suc- 
cessfully on others. 
A Duck then (and the word ‘“ Duck “’ shall, as our 
legal friends would say, in this connection be taken to 
refer to and include all Teal, Geese, Swans and Mergan- 
sers) can be distinguished from all other Indian birds 
by the following characters :—The bill is stvarght and 
