THE TANKS AND TANK SHOOTING 



the whole breast and under parts ; lesser wing coverts 

 maroon-red ; tail, reddish to brown, edged yellow. Ex- 

 clusively fresh-water birds, to be found in every tank, 

 almost, throughout the island. They are excellent eating, 

 though some people consider them unfit for food. 

 Gregarious, rarely less than a dozen found together ; fond 

 of weedy lotus-grown water, and not very easy of approach, 

 though when put up they are apt to fly round and round 

 the tank, uttering their peculiar whistling call, at a low 

 height at first, but gradually rising higher and higher, 

 eventually settling in the tank again unless much shoot- 

 ing is going on, when they will leave it for some other 

 tank. It is during this circling habit of theirs that they 

 can best be shot, though, on first cautiously approaching 

 their haunt, you can often get a " pot " at them among 

 the weeds inshore, or whilst perched on trees standing 

 in the water, before they take flight. The guns of the 

 party more or less conceal themselves, at spots command- 

 ing the " circle," and send natives round wading through 

 the sedge to put them up, or else one of the guns goes 

 with the natives a much better plan, as he shoots his 

 way along and thoroughly disturbs every bird in the 

 tank. 



At the same time, besides the whistling-teal, you get 

 your chance at the little goose-teal (Nettapus coroman- 

 delianus\ a most excellent table bird, whose swift flight 

 offers very sporting shots. Length, 12.5 to 13 inches; 

 bill, greenish-black ; legs, yellowish-olive. Forehead, 

 centre of head, and nape blackish-brown ; rest of head, 

 neck, breast, and all beneath, white ; black ring tinged 

 above with green completely encircling hind neck and 

 lower fore neck ; back and wing coverts metallic dark 

 green to purple ; wing coverts, secondaries fine metallic 



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