30 Mr. Vj. (rihsoii on f/ie On/i/Jio/of/i/ of [Ibis, 



often observed its imimuie tiimeness on the cangrejales 

 adjacent to the large cattle-killing Saladero in the ncigh- 

 l)ouring township of Ajo, where the workmen slightingly^ 

 alluded to it as the "Pate de cangrajal.'' The colouring of 

 the male is undoubtedly rich, but lacks the all-rojind 

 brilliancy of, say, the Chiloe Wigeoii ; solely when risino; 

 close to the observer, and with the additional aid of a strong 

 sunlight, does it show to advantage. 



Hudson makes no allusion to its nesting-habits, and I 

 have )uj information myself on the sulvjoct. The IJritish 

 Museum liowevei'. through Mr. Wells, furnishes me with a 

 following description of the eggs: — '-These arc elliptical or 

 long oval in sha[)e. The shell somewhat glossy and of a 

 uniform rich cream-colour. Measurements from 19-57 mm. 

 in length and from 3o-3G mm. in breadth."' 



351 Metopiana peposaca Vicill. Kosy-billed Duck. 



Tliis Diu'k, known in our district as the " Pate picaso," is 

 nudoubtcdly the king of all the Duck family of my ac- 

 quaintance, pre-eminent in size, weight, and handsome 

 appearance. It is generally distributed and found in pairs: 

 in the autumn large Hocks occur, associated with the lii'own 

 IMntail { Daji'/u spiu'icaailii). In the fornu-r case it would 

 seem to prefer the deeper and central })Ools in the cauadoucs, 

 but the larger congregations (in whieii males ])redominate) 

 assemble about shallow ponds or marshy hollows in the open 

 camp. Wary in its habits, as becomes a bird so much 

 sought after by the pot-hunter, it is certainly not so wild 

 as the (Jhiloe Wigeon (.l/</?rc'rt sibilatrix). The flight, after 

 a heavy rise, is bold and powerful. The note a loud and 

 harsh " qnack.^' 



If the s[)ort>nnin shows a justifiable pride in producing 

 from his bag of Duck a specimen of the beautiful and wily 

 Chiloe Wigeon, as I have j)rcviously remaiked, he also 

 exhibits much satifaction in turning out a couple of Ilosy- 

 billed Ducks. A pleasure accompanied with a sigh of relief, 

 for the latter is a portentously heavy bird ; and, it may be 

 added, a very fiuely-llavourcd table acquisition. 



