NETTA RUFINA. 215 



greyish-olive or greenish-grey when blown), and measure about 2*3 inches 

 by 1-6." 



Salvin M^'ites : — " In the open pools at the upper end of the marsh at 

 Zana I used to see several pair of the R-ed-crested Duck. Two nests only 

 were obtained. The second lot, consisting of seven eggs, were of a brilliant 

 fresh green colour when miblown ; the contents were no sooner expelled 

 and the eggs dry than the delicate tints "svere gone and their beauty sadly 

 diminished/' 



The nest is a large coarsely-made structure, which seems to be made 

 invariably of practically nothing but rushes and soft water-plants. Twigs, 

 dry grass, and other materials got from land are but little used, and it is 

 probable that much of what is used is subaquatic stuff and is got by diving. 

 The lining of down and feathers is usually very dense and thick, completely 

 covering the eggs. 



As a rule the duck selects as a site for her nest some small pond well 

 covered with weeds and vegetation, or some patch of water in fen or marsh 

 land, well isolated and free from observation and interference. I have 

 come across no notes on their nidification to show that they ever breed on 

 the edges of larger or more open pieces of water, and these they seem as a 

 rule to avoid during the breeding-season, unless, perhaps, for purposes of 

 feeding. Wide marshes and fens, with pools scattered here and there in 

 amongst the bog and scrub-covered land, would appear to be their 

 favourite resorts. 



When fresh, the eggs are a beautiful clear green stone-colour, and 

 have a decided gloss, but lose both their bright tints and gloss soon after 

 being blown. The texture is smooth, fine, and close, but the shell is rather 

 fragile for the size of the egg, and this would appear to be the case with 

 most Pochard's eggs. 



In shape they are either rather long or rather broad ovals, very regular 

 in shape, and with both ends practically the same in size. 



The majority of birds breed in May and early June ; very few, it 

 would seem, as early as the end of April. The number of eggs is most 

 often eight or ten, but they vary from only six to at least fourteen on a 

 few occasions. 



