1897.] F Film — Note on the gait of the Cotton Teal. 83 



But when walking any greater distance than a few inches (nnd 

 though prone to lie down frequently, they can on occasion walk for 

 many ynrds) their gait, though labouied and awkward, is just} like that 

 of otlier ducks, as may be seen in the specimens now exhibited.* 



The habit of walking is not an unnatural one acquired in captivity, 

 as many birds can stand and walk when fresh from the Baza^ir. Only 

 the other day a fine male was bjought in to me, which walked for 

 several yards as soon as let out of the cage. 



Many, in fact the majority of Bazaar birds, however, are frightened 

 or crippled to such an extent that they can only scuffle along as above 

 described ; so that I do not wonder that Blyth was misled into thinking 

 that their powers of terrestrial progression were as limited as he says, 

 especially since, judging from his remarks in the Ihis paper above cited, 

 wildfowl were even worse treated in the Bazaar then than they are at 

 present. 



I never saw my birds rest on one leg, and think Blyth may be right 

 in saying that they cannot do so. {Loc. bit. Cat. Birds. Mus. As. Soc). 



Mr. Hume's observations, if he actually saw the birds, " wab- 

 bling " as he calls it, on the islands, would offer a greater difficulty ; 

 but from his language he may only have seen them feeding or resting 

 there, and may also have drawn his conclusions as to their gait from 

 Bazaar specimens. I have noticed however that specimens of my own 

 at the edge of the Museum tank frequently lay down to feed on paddy 

 given them there, though when walking their legs showed plainly enough. 

 Among thick grass this might not be so easy to make oat, and at the 

 tank I purposely chose the spot in order to observe the birds better. 



Mr- Hume therefore need find no fault with his artist in this parti- 

 cular. 



To sum up, this bird, though its feet are strong enough for some 

 purposes, as it is an excellent swimmer and diver, and can cling to and 

 climb up wire netting in a remarkable manner, appears to be certainly 

 weak in these members when they are applied to the purpose of walking, 

 and hence is readily disabled. Moreover, it appears normally seldom to 

 leave the water except to perch on trees or buildings. 



Nevertheless, when circumstances require it, it is able. to stand 

 and to walk like the ordinary members of the family to which it belongs, 

 though its activity appears limited, walking being a power which from 

 the circumstances of its life it is seldom called upon to exercise. 



* Four birds were exhibited in a cage, and at this point let out on the table, 

 where they walked about. These were captive specimens with clipped wings. 



