]r).S INDIAN DUCKS. 



and on which tlic natural (h-y land vooofation has l)oon killed Ity the 

 water. On the other hand, in dry seasons the water recedes and much 

 jhil vegetation, which, under ordinary circumstances, would be in a few 

 feet of water, is within a few inches of the top, and well wnthin grasp of 

 the Teal as it feeds with only its tail-end out of water. They are, of 

 course, strong and expert divers, but do not feed, I think, on any stuff 

 which necessitates their going completely imder water. Of two l^rds 

 shot in Silehar, the stomachs contained nothing but tlie white tendril-like 

 roots of a small water-plant whicli grows profusclv whoro tlie water is 

 only a few inches deej), and these the birds could obtain by merely standing 

 on their heads, as it were, in the water. They graze a good deal, like 

 geese, on young grass, and also young croi)S, and, in addition to various 

 other vegetable substances, eat water-snails, worms, insects, and shell-fish 

 of sorts, this more particularly near the sea-coast, where thev are often 

 found in brackish estuaries or backwaters. 



Morris writes: — "This species feeds })rincij)ally on water insects and 

 their larvpe, small mollusca, worms, the fry of fish, and frogs; as also the 

 buds, shoots, and leaves of plants and grass, and these it browses on in 

 the daytime ; but it chiefly seeks its food in the mornings and evenings, 

 and also at times in the night.^' 



All ducks, it should be noted, whether as a rule day or night feeders, 

 are inclined to feed freely during moonlight nights, and this is perhaps 

 more especially the case with such as graze on grass and young crops. 1 

 tiever, myself, obtained a single specimen in the Sunderbunds, but have 

 often been assured that they are common there. Hume says that they are 

 as quick in rising as is the Gadwall. I should have given the palm to the 

 Gad wall for quickness in getting off the water, but once up the Wigeon 

 is quite as fast in getting away. On the wing they are certainh-- not as 

 fast as either the Gargany or Common Teal, nor are they as hard to brin<r 

 down, for they are less densely plumaged and can carry far less lead. 



They vary very much in being wild or the reverse, but, taking them 

 everywhere, in comparison with other ducks they may be said to be cute, 

 wary birds, but falling short in this respect of many of their kind. What 

 adds, too. to the ease at obtaining shots at them is tlieir liabit of feeding 

 almost throughout the day, their feeding taking them much to the ed<Tes 

 of the jhils and lakes, where they remain amongst the reeds and veo-etation. 

 This, of course, hides the stalker and the stalked, and many shots 

 may be obtained afc Wigeon by walking round the Ijorders of a lake, 

 whilst most of the other duck are away in the middle of the water 



