218 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



that the species was, and had been, plentiful about the upper 

 re/iches of the Derwent. In 1874 a specimen was received at the 

 Hobart Museum from Macquarie River. I have no knowledge of 

 any specimens of this species being taken of late years. 



It is of this bird that Gould states : " It seldom if ever visits 

 Van Diemen's Land." 



S ub- Family Anat inae . 



PLUMED WHISTLING-DUCK 



(Dendrocycna eytoni, Gould). 



Male. Crown of head, hind-neck, and breast pale reddish- 

 brown ; sides of the head and neck pale grey, becoming white on 

 the throat; feathers of the back and wings brown, the edges of 

 the former pale ochreous; upper tail coverts whitish-buff, edged 

 with greyish- brown; tail brown; quills also brown; lower breast 

 and sides reddish, regularly barred with black, bars very distinct 

 on the sides ; abdomen and under tail coverts white, slightly tinged 

 with buff ; bill yellowish-brown, with a patch of black in the 

 centre; legs and feet flesh-brown. Dimensions in mm. : Length, 

 428; bill, 39; wing, 249; tail, 74; tarsus, 57. 



Female. Similar to male. 



Nest. On the ground, among herbage, away from water. 



Egg>s. Clutch ten to twelve probably (A. J. Campbell); 

 roundish in shape ; texture fine ; surface glossy ; light creamy- 

 white. Dimensions in mm. of odd examples: (1) 49 x 39, (2) 

 48 x 38.5, (3) 48.5 x 38, (4) 49 x 38. 



Breeding Season. September to the end of the year. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania (casual), the whole of 

 the mainland; also New Zealand (accidental). 



Observations. The first record of this Duck is in the P.R.S. 

 of Tasmania, May, 1871, wherein is the report of a specimen 

 having been received from Richmond. Again, in June, 1872, 

 another specimen was received, this time from Bridgewater. It 

 was also reported that several specimens had been seen at Sorell. 

 I can find no record of it having been seen within recent years. 



SHIELDRAKE OR MOUNTAIN-DUCK 



(Casarca tadornoides, Jard.) 



Male. Head and upper neck glossy greenish-black; in old 

 examples the feathers at the base of the bill and round the eyes 

 become brownish ; a white ring separates the upper neck from the 

 lower, which, together with the upper breast and back, are reddish- 

 brown; back, scapulars, and under surface black, finely waved 

 and freckled with pale fulvous; upper tail coverts and tail black, 



