100 THE BIllDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 



261. Tadorna cornuta, Gmel. Utka peganca. 



Inhabits all the saltwater lakes of Mongolia, and arrives in the south- 

 eastern parts of this country, in small flocks of from ten to twenty, late in 

 March. Very soon after their arrival they disperse in pairs, and probably 

 breed in holes on the ground. During the breeding-season the males 

 frequently fight, commonly making use of their wings and bills ; the 

 conqueror expresses his satisfaction by nodding and bowing towards 

 the female. 



At Koko-nor the first migrants appeared about the 14th of March, but 

 were rather scarce until the end of that month. 



In Mongolia T. cornuta is not at all shy. 



262. Casarca rutila, Pall. Turpan. 



Lama shubu, Mongols. 



The Mongols consider this bird sacred. It is very common in the 

 country, and is found breeding about the lakes, rivers, and even at the 

 mountain-brooks ; whilst in Kan-su it has only been observed during the 

 spring migration, at the sources of the river Tetanga, in limited numbers, 

 but is abundant in spring and autumn at Koko-nor. 



The earliest birds were noticed inTsaidam on the 10th of February, and 

 in S.E. Mongolia early in March ; but in the Hoang-ho valley they even 

 stop to winter, although in only limited numbers. 



During migration these Ducks assemble in large flocks of over a hundred, 

 but .never mix with any other kind. Each pair keeps very strictly to them- 

 selves ; and probably such a bond is formed for life. During the breeding- 

 season the males very often fight, and attack even drakes of other species of 

 Ducks. They build in holes or clefts in the ground, and sometimes even in 

 the fireplaces of villages deserted by the Mongols ; and in the latter places 

 the female birds, whilst hatching, get almost quite black with soot. The 



