Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 401 



949. Anser indicus. Bar-headed Goose. 



I recollect, at Umballah in 1866, being dreadfully taken in 

 by purchasing one of these handsome Geese from a native for 

 the table, but found it so horribly tough that, besides losing my 

 dinner, I lost the two rupees which I had been green enough to 

 pay for it. They occur in large numbers around Umballah, 

 and are captured by the natives, who manage to delude the 

 European inhabitants of that Station into buying them for 

 the table. 



951. Nettapus coromandelianus. White-bodied Goose- 

 Teal. 



This is invariably called the " Cotton-Teal " by sportsmen in 

 India, where it is (in Lower Bengal and Maunbhoom more 

 especially) very abundant, and has many a time given me not 

 only a good day^s sport, but a good addition to the kitchen. 

 I have seen this species breeding in trees in the Maldah and 

 Purneah districts, but never actually took a nest. 



952. Dendrocygna ausubee*. "Whistling Teal. 



This and the Cotton-Teal are by far the most numerous of the 

 Duck-tribe in the tanks of the Maunbhoom district, which, indeed, 

 from its naturally dry climate, does not attract any other kinds; but 

 here two species are almost invariably found associated together, 

 though in separate flocks, on the tanks near which the villages 

 are usually built, and where in addition a Snipe or two may be 

 picked up by walking along the edge. A very fair bag may be 

 made, as both these species are very loth to quit the water, 

 and, when they do fly, may be easily marked down on the 

 nearest piece of water, and then driven backwards and forwards 

 between it and their original tank, giving plenty of chances to a 

 slow shot. 



I believe that both these birds breed in the Maunbhoom 

 district, although I have never been lucky enough to And 

 their nests. 



954. Casarca rutila. Ruddy Sheldrake. 



The "Brahminy Duck,'' as it is commonly called, is in habits 



* [Poliiis D. arcmita. Cf. Ibis, 1867, p. 175.— Ed.] 



