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ANAS BERNIERI 
DISTRIBUTION 
This species is confined to Madagascar, where it is said to be not uncommon, though occurring much 
more frequently on the west than on the east coast (Hartlaub, 1877 ; Milne-Edwards and Grandidicr, 
1876-81). 
GENERAL 
Nothing much is known of the life-history of this apparently rare bird. It is 
found either along the great water-courses, or on the marshes and small morasses. 
Usually it is seen in small companies (Milne-Edwards and Grandidier, 1876-81). 
Sganzin (1840) says it stays on streams and is met with throughout the year in 
company with gallinules. He considered it easy to shoot, and speaks of the flesh as 
similar to that of “European Wild Ducks” (Mallards.?) in taste. 
It is quite remarkable that Mr. F. R. Wulsin, who collected for the Museum of 
Comparative Zoology between June and September, 1915, both on and near the 
southwest coast and near the east coast of Madagascar, did not meet with this Teal 
at all. None of the large museums in this country has specimens, and so far as I 
know it has never been introduced alive into collections of w^ater-fowl in cither 
Europe or America. European museums also lack good series, judging from the very 
small number I saw at Leyden, at Tring and in the British Museum (Natural History). 
It seems to me, therefore, that the bird must be either very local or else rather rare. 
