Contributions to the OrnitJwlogy of India, ^x. 263 



water that the red-headed pochard was found. 



969.— Aythya nyroca, GiM. 



The white-eyed pochard on the other hand which was met 

 with in every inland piece of water^ big or little, (but never in 

 the rivers) , specially delights in rushy, reedy waters, and when 

 alarmed, like the marbled duck, rather seeks safety in cover, than 

 in flight. It is very indifferent eating, and it may be a cognizance 

 of this fact, and that sportsmen generally disdain its slaughter, 

 that leads it to remain tranquilly in amongst the rushes while 

 heavy firing is going on all round, often not taking the trouble 

 to rise till the boat is within twenty yards of it. Anyhow this 

 is ths fact, and I have seen as many as thirty or forty rise singly 

 one after the other, all within easy shot, in a couple of hours 

 punting through the rushes. The boatmen say that this duck 

 breeds in Sindh, it may do so (in Cashmere its eggs are so 

 plentiful, that at one season they constitute an important staple 

 of trade at Srinugger) but the fact requires verification. 



971.— Fulix cristata, L. 



The tufted pochard was less common than any of the precedr 

 ing, the only locality in which I saw it^ in any considerable 

 numbers was on the Muncher lake. 



973.— Mergellus albellus, L. 



The smew was as rare in Sindh as it is elsewhere in Upper 

 India. I saw one party on the banks of the Jhelum near 

 Jung and shot a specimen, a young male, and I saw it again on 

 the banks of the Indus near Kussmore, and lastly, I saw several 

 parties on the Muncher lake. These were the only occasions on 

 which I met with it, though the black and white plumage of 

 the male is so conspicuous^ that the bird can never be over- 

 looked. 



974.— Podiceps cristatus, L. 



This species is very rare inland in Sindh. I only saw it once 

 and then on the Muncher lake ; but in the sea outside the 

 Kurrachee Harbour, and as I ascertained along the coast to 

 Kutch, especially about the mouths of the Indus and again all 

 the way up the Mekran Coast, and notably in both the Gwader 

 bays, it is excessively abundant, though not easy to procure, 

 and the specimens I shot cost me many hours delightful, but 

 still hard work. 



Three males measured, gave the following results : 

 Length, 20-75 to 24 ; expanse, 30-5 to 35 ; wing, 7-1 to 7-8 ; 

 wings, when closed, reach to within 2 of end of tail ; bill at 



