NEW SOUTH WALES 105 



DISTRIBUTION OF DUCKS 



1. River Ducks. 



2. Spiny-tailed Ducks. 



3. Sea Duck. 



4. Shield Ducks. 



The two ducks commonly known as the Burde- 

 kin Duck and the Mountain Duck appear to have 

 divided Australia between them, leaving out the 

 central portion which does not appeal to them, 

 except in rainy seasons. These two are the two 

 Shieldrakes of Australia (map 43, a b). 



The Musk Duck is the best known of the Spiny- 

 tailed section. It is known a mile away, by the 

 odour coming with the breeze, and it has a remark- 

 able air sac for calling. Solitary is its habit and 

 swamp loving, it is rarely seen to fly from lagoon 

 to lagoon. It prefers to walk across country from 

 hole to hole. To escape from enemies it would 

 rather dive. It does fly low and rapid, and occa- 

 sionally high across long distances. The general 

 habit is to swim and to stay about the nest and 

 food supply. 



The Hard-head or White-eyed Duck is the only 

 sea duck we have, being found well over Australia, 

 New Guinea and New Zealand. 



There are many species of river ducks, among 

 them being the Pink-eared Duck, the Freckled 

 Duck, the Black Duck, Teal and Whistling Ducks, 



