XYEOCA AFKICANA. 229 



find any traces ol: them. In Burinali it has only been recorded as far 

 south as Arrakau. 



The kind of water preferred hy the Pochard is that also which forms the 

 favourite resort of the White-eyed Pochard. I have, however, found them 

 in all and any sort of water. Wandering up and down the hill-streams, 

 ■clear deep pools and rushing torrents of shallow water following one 

 another in rapid succession, I have often disturbed small flocks of the 

 White-eye ; and I have equally often found a pair or a small flock in 

 the very dirtiest and smallest pools of stagnant water. It is also found 

 in sea-water, ride Sinclair, who says that it is "the sea-duck of the 

 Alibag Coast,'' where they " ride generally just outside the surf, where 

 they were safe from disturbance from passing boats." 



Where there are wide stretches of water, clear here and there in patches, 

 but for the most part covered with water-plants, and with shores thickly 

 lined with weeds &c., the White-eye assembles in vast numbers, but not in 

 very large flocks. These (the flocks) may number anything between half 

 a dozen and over fifty, but even of the latter number there will be but few. 

 Then, again, the birds lie so scattered and far apart that they keep rising 

 in ones and twos, giving the impression that they are only consorting in 

 pairs or very small flocks, and of course many single birds and pairs are 

 really met with. 



As shov.'ing the numbers in which these ducks are found in suitable 

 localities, it is worth notice that, in the ' Asian.'' a bag of ducks was recorded 

 as having been shot in Chapra, which contained 385 duck ; but out of this 

 no less than 187 were White-eyes. No doubt their manner of rising is a 

 very admirable trait for any duck to possess, and the White-eye has other 

 ^•ood points as well. As a rule it is a decidedly tame bird, still lingering 

 in amongst the reeds and other jungle long after nearly all other ducks 

 have left, rising well within shot when disturbed and often not going far 

 before au'ain seekino- the water. It gets off the water badlv, flutterino- 

 about and rising very obliquely ; nor does it rise high when well on the 

 wing, but generally flies within a few yards of the surface of the water, 

 getting on consideralde pace when once fairly away. It requires straight 

 shooting to kill outright, for it is a hardy, close-plumaged little bird, and 

 will take a lot of shot. Hit, but not killed, it is very far from caught, 

 for it is a wonderful diver : quick and strong under water, it makes for 

 the dense undergrowth, wdiere it hides, or if dropped in the open dives for 

 such long periods and goes so far and fast that the gunner never knows 

 where to expect it and when he may get his second barrel into it. All his 



