72 



We know a large rock, on the bank of the Rakaia, where a ]5air of these birds 

 breed every year. 



The nest is warmly lined with down ; nine eggs are sometimes found in a 

 nest, but not often have we noti ;ed so large a number ; they are large, creamy- 

 white, ovoiconical, vary somewhat in size, even in the same nest ; length 

 2 inches 9 lines, with a diameter of 1 inch 10 lines. The Paradise Duck leads 

 its brood to water very soon after hatching. The parent birds may be noticed 

 surrounded by their tiny young ones, spending nearly the Avhole clay upon the 

 water, even when the usually smooth surface of the lake has been lashed into 

 foam-crested waves by a furious Nor'-wester. They enter the lake after the 

 sun is well up, and remain till late in the afternoon ; this is daily repeated, the 

 young birds gradually venturing farther from the old ones, and may be 

 observed darting about with the greatest activity. 



This bird employs the wiliest stratagems to lead the wayfarer from its 

 nest or young. 



Notes. — October 24, 1855, noticed nest with eight eggs, Malvern Hills. 

 November 1, 1867, saw nest with five eggs, another with six 



eggs, on the Potts rivei\ 

 December 2, 1867, Duck sitting on five eggs, Rangitata river. 



The congress of the sexes takes place in water, after the manner of the 

 common Goose. When young, the flesh # of the Paradise Duck is very good 

 eating, but in old birds there is a degree of toughness, that only the sharpest 

 appetite can overcome. 



The young are easily tamed, and feed amicably with other poultry ; but 

 unless confined when spring sets in, they are almost certain to ramble away 

 and be lost. 



No. 93. — Anas superciliosa, Gml. 

 Parera. 

 Grey Duck. 



One of the commonest game-birds left to us by the eager sportsman. We 

 have found the nest of the Grey Duck in so many situations, differing so 

 entirely in character, that it would be difficult to pronounce any one position 

 as the favourite site for its breeding-place. Sometimes close by the edge of a 

 bush creek, amongst damp shady ferns ; out on the plain, sheltered by a 

 tussock, quite away from water ; often on a hill side. Yet, whether on the 

 level plain or in a swamp, its cup-shaped nest is most profusely lined with 

 clown, and diffuses a strong musky odour. The eggs, usually nine in number, 

 are creamy-white, occasionally varying a little in size and shape, some are 

 ovoiconical, others broadly oval ; 2 inches 6 lines through the axis, with a 

 diameter of 1 inch 8^ lines, is the measurement of a large specimen ; whilst we 

 jDOSsess specimens that measure but 2 inches 3 lines in length, with a diameter 

 of 1 inch 7 lines. On referring to many notes on the numbers of eggs laid by 

 the Grey Duck, an entry appears often eggs in a nest, found December 10th, 

 near a lagoon by the Rangitata, the largest number of which we have a 

 memorandum. We have seen the young quite tame, and associating with the 

 common domestic Duck. 



No. 94. — Anas chlorotis, Gray. 

 Puteke. 

 Teal. 



"Very much scarcer of late years than we can remember it. A few yeai's 

 ago we used to hear tales of almost incredible bags of this excellent game- 

 bird ; a few more years of inconsiderate slaughter, will make the Teal a 

 raril y. 



