120 WATER FOWL OF INDIA AND ASIA. 
tip of the wing, will be found yet another joint, not highly 
flexible, like the knuckle, but very stiff and little moveable ; 
it is overhung by the little moveable plume of stiff miniature 
quills known as the bastard wing, which springs just in front 
of the knuckle. This joint found and cut through, about the 
first five pinion-quills are permanently removed and the bird 
incapacitated for flying more than a few feet. 
Birds intended for the table, which may be easily kept on 
a tank arranged as above described, need not of course be 
pinioned, as they will presumably be used up before they have 
moulted out and got their quills again, so that clipping in their 
case is sufficient. Nor is it necessary or advisable to pinion 
birds which are destined to be sent home shortly. 
WHAT TO KEEP. 
If the object be to keep a complete series of the Indian ducks, 
females as well as males should be put in; but if an attractive 
show is desired, it will be found far better to confine the collec- 
tion to drakes, as the dull-coloured females very greatly spoil 
the effect of the whole. The Brahminy and Comb-duck should 
be introduced with caution, and only if there be plenty of room, 
as these birds are apt to be very savage ; one of the former at 
the Calcutta Zoo used to cherish a peculiar prejudice against a 
bar-headed goose, and gave it a very lively time. For eating 
of course, only the better-reputed species should be selected.. 
BREEDING. 
The only Indian ducks at once worth breeding and like 
to breed in this climate are the pink-head, wood-duck, and 
Mandarin duck. Breeding birds should have a secluded place 
assigned them, with plenty of living vegetation and_ suitable 
nesting accommodation. Any of the migratory species would 
probably breed in the hills, and white swans should certainly 
be tried there, since they are rather at a premium in India, 
and should pay well to raise. I believe swans have been, and 
may still be, kept at Ootacamund, but Ido not know whe- 
ther they have bred there; they have not in Calcutta, though 
eggs were laid at the Botanical Gardens. 
TRANSPORT, &C. 
Coops for sending waterfowl in should not be higher than 
the birds require to stand upright in. The front should be 
barred, not netted, the bars being placed close together, so 
that the birds cannot get their heads out. The floor should 
