QUEBQUEDULA. 291 



The Oceanic Teal breeds (and indeed occurs) within our 

 limits only in the Andamaus. I have only one record of its 

 nidification and a single egg, both of which I owe to Captain 

 Wlmberley. 



The nest was found in August; it was composed of grass, and 

 \va> placed in a paddy-field near Port Mouat, the only locality 

 with which \ve are yet acquainted in the group where this species 

 is always to be met with. 



The egg is typical, a very perfect broad oval in shape, with a 

 very close-grained smooth shell, devoid of gloss, and of a uniform 

 delicate cream-colour. 



It measures 1'93 by 1'43. 



Querquedula circia (Linn.). The Grarganey Teal. 



Querquedula circia (Linn.), Jerd. B. Lid. ii. p. 807 ; Hume, Rouyh 

 Draft N. $ E. no. 905. 



The Grarganey or Summer Teal is to most parts of India only 

 an autumn and cold- weather visitant. It returns very early. I 

 have shot it repeatedly during the third week of August, but it 

 certainly leaves every part of Upper India during the hot season. 



There is some reason, however, to think that it may breed in 

 Tenasserirn. Writing thence, the late Colonel Tickell says: 

 ' k Another singular occurrence is the breeding of the Grarganey in 

 this part of the country (Moulmein). I have a young one now 

 alive, which was brought to me just fledged from a pond or small 

 lake about twelve miles off/' 



Mr. Blyth added, with reference to this statement, that " the 

 Grarganey breeds sparingly no doubt in India, as well as in Burinah 

 and Tenasserirn." I have failed to obtain any confirmation of this 

 surmise : indeed, all the evidence from all parts of the country 

 that I have been able to accumulate points the other way, and I 

 may add that no one since Colonel Tickell has apparently been 

 able to learn anything of its breeding in Tenasserhn. I cannot 

 liad out that anyone has ever seen it during the summer at the 

 Thibetan lakes ; but I have numerous specimens shot in the interior 

 of the Himalayas during the spring, and again during the latter 

 half of August, thus apparently showing that these birds for the 

 most part go north beyond the hills to breed. 



Colonel Irby, however, tells us that when in Oudh he " caught 

 some young, half-fledged, in the month of September." * 



* CIIAULELASMUS AXGUSTiRosxKis (Meuetr.). The Marbled Duck. 

 Chaulelasmus angustirostris (Menetr.}, Hione, Cat. no. 961 bis. 



Colonel Butler received some eggs from the Mekran Coast which he identifies 

 as those of the Marbled Duck. He says : 



" I received some small Duck's eggs from the Mekran Coast, which are in my 

 opinion those of the Marbled Duck. The nest was on the ground under a 



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