340 FLAMINGOES, DUCKS, AND SCREAMERS. 



being reticulate, in which respect they resemble the geese. The lores are feathered ; 

 the legs rather long, with the lower portion of the tibia bare ; the wings are short 

 and rounded ; and the abbreviated tail is almost concealed by the coverts. The 

 sexes are nearly alike ; and although in some species there is a bright patch or 

 speculum on the wing, in coloration these birds approach the Egyptian goose and 

 ruddy sheldrake, to both of which they may be allied. In their voice, as well as in 

 the plumage undergoing but one moult, and likewise in the vegetable nature of 

 their food, these birds again approach the geese, and differ from the ducks. Tree- 

 ducks are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world ; 

 and it is highly remarkable that one species (Z). viduata) is common to South 

 America and West Africa. The general colour of the plumage of the^e birds is 

 some shade of brown or chestnut, with the back, wings, and tail variously marked 

 with darker brown and slaty ; but in one of the American species the abdomen is 

 black, while in a second the under-parts are dirty white. The Indian D. javanica 

 measures about 20 inches in length. The latter species frequents well- wooded, well- 

 watered, and well-drained districts throughout India; being found during the 

 breeding-season in pairs, but in the cold weather and spring associating in flocks, 

 which, according to Mr. Hume, may number from twenty to two thousand head. 

 Migratory in their habits, these birds, writes the last-named observer, are very 

 tame and familiar, " frequenting village ponds, and living on the trees surrounding 

 such, even on trees growing inside the enclosures of cottages. They are rather dull 

 birds, slow on the wing and easily shot, and they have a habit of circling round 

 and round the gunner when one of their number has been shot, that often proves 

 fatal to the greater portion of the flock, when it unfortunately falls under the tender 

 mercies of butchers. When absolutely required for food, a pair or so may be shot, 

 but they are indifferent eating, and fly so poorly that they really afford no sport." 

 Their deficiency in the matter of flight, is, however, counterbalanced by their ex- 

 pertness in swimming and diving, a wounded bird being most difficult to capture. 

 When not on the wing, these birds are most commonly seen either feeding on the 

 water, or resting on trees. Chiefly vegetarians, they subsist largely on rice, as well 

 as various water-plants, but also consume insects and molluscs. They derive their 

 name of whistling teal from their double hissing whistle-like note, which is always 

 uttered when the birds are alarmed or about to fly, and is often repeated during 

 flight, although but seldom heard when they are feeding or at rest. The nest may 

 be situated either in a hollow tree or between the fork of a large branch, or on the 

 ground, and if built by the birds themselves is unlined ; a deserted crow's nest is, 

 however, often taken advantage of. The number of eggs is usually from ten to 

 twelve. Curiously enough, when the nest is in a tree, the young are carried down 

 by the parent birds to the water. Mr. Hume has observed the ducklings carried 

 in the claws of their parents, but it has been stated that they are sometimes 

 borne on their backa 



The handsome birds known as sheldrakes (Tadorna), which are 



Xll6 SllCldTdflCOS 



* near relations of the tree ducks, may be regarded as the first repre- 

 sentatives of the subfamily'- AnatincB, in which are included all the more typical 

 ducks. The members of this group are relatively short-necked birds of smaller 

 size than the true geese, from which they differ in having the front of the 



