40 INDIAN DUCKS. 



The duck commences its moult in September or early October, and 

 this once commenced is extremely rapid ; the quills — both rectrices and 

 flight-quills — come away all together, and the bird is incapable of rising 

 more than a foot or so from the grouiid for about a fortnight, by which 

 tiuie the wing-quills are sufficiently advanced to enable them to flutter 

 from one perch to another, or, in exceptional cases, to take short flights. 

 The soft feathers come after the quills, though a few new breast- and back- 

 feathers may sometimes show even before the quills fall. 



The contrast between the glossy new feathers and the dull blackish 

 old ones is very great, and one can hardly believe that it is the same bird. 

 The natives say that, jirior to the moulting, these ducks all retir(^ to 

 luorasses lying in absolutely impenetrable forest and cane-brake, and there 

 remain until they are once more able to lly. 



