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ANAS EATON I 
Status. A good idea of its abundance may be obtained from a statement of 
Moseley’s where he says that he killed twenty-seven of these Pintails in one day, and 
that similar bags were frequent, four or five guns usually bringing in over one hundred 
in one day. English officers are said to have killed two thousand within a radius of 
eight miles (von der Steinen, 1890). 
Enemies. The only known enemy of this species is the Antarctic Skua (Megales- 
tris antarcticus). The ducks seem to be much afraid of them, but it is doubtful 
whether they ever destroy full-grown birds. They seem to hunt the ducks only in a 
case of necessity, and occasionally destroy eggs or young. Hiisker found that they 
followed him about when hunting, and made attempts to get single or wounded birds. 
The ducks find excellent shelter under the leaves of the so-called cabbage. 
Food Value. This is the only bird on Kerguelen which is really fit for food and 
in consequence it has been much appreciated by travelers hungry for fresh meat. 
The eggs also have been used for food. 
Behavior in Captivity. No live specimens have ever reached civilized coun- 
tries. 
