1068 NETTAPUS COEOMANDELIANUS. 



only number one or two, but swim off a little way and remain motionless, while their injured companion sinks 

 below the water with nothing but the bill above the surface, so that it is impossible to find its whereabouts. 

 I have only heard their note in the evening, when they are more restless than usual, and often get on the wing 

 and fly round the tank, uttering a weak cackling note. In the breeding-season it is said to be more noisy ; 

 and the late Mr. Anderson remarks that its call has been likened to the words " fix bayonets !" whilst Jerdon 

 says that it resembles that of a Grouse. It flies very swiftly, with quick, beating of the wings. This bird is 

 much admired by the Singhalese, who prefix the word Mai (flower) to the ordinary name Saaru (duck) on 

 account of its beauty. Its flesh is very good eating. According to Blyth it cannot walk well, but shuffles 

 along and squats on the ground. 



Nidification. — In the northern parts of Ceylon the Green-backed Teal breeds in the early part of the 

 year. In the Anaradhapura district, as I am informed by Mr. B. Price, of the Public Works Department, 

 the natives take their eggs and hatch them under small hens. The nest is made in holes in the limbs of 

 large trees or even on old buildings, and is occasionally placed on the ground among rushes. Some observers 

 say that there is scarcely any lining in the holes, whilst others have found feathers plucked from the birds' 

 breasts in their nests. Mr. F. B. Blewett, writing to Mr. Hume from Jhansi, says that the "Cotton- 

 Teal " makes a semi-floating nest on the water in that district in July and August, constructing it of lotus- 

 leaves, weeds, grass, &c., piled up several inches above the surface. The number of eggs varies from 8 to 12, 

 or sometimes, according to Jerdon, to 15 ; they are oval in shape and delicate ivory-white, being very smooth 

 in texture. According to Mr. Hume they vary from 154 to 175 inch in length, and in breadth from 1*17 to 

 1 "38 inch. Mr. A. Anderson observes that both birds assist in selecting a habitation; he once watched a 

 pair which flew into a tree together, and while the female used to enter the hole the male sat on a bough 

 watching for her exit. 



Genus DENDKOCYGNA*. 

 Bill high at base, as in the last genus ; ridge between the nostrils narrow ; upper mandible 

 of uniform width; nail suddenly bent down; larnellse prominent and narrow. Wings short, 

 rounded, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quills subequal and longest ; tertials exceeding the primaries ; a 

 small tubercle at the point of the wing. Tarsus stout, shorter than the middle toe ; hind toe 

 rather long. 



1 The "Tree-Ducks" are a peculiar group, placed by some authors among the Anatinao, or true Ducks, and by others 

 in the Tadornime, which may be considered to be a section of Anserine. Although their habits are somewhat abnormal, 

 they grade into the Geese through the two preceding genera ; and hi view of their short, high bill and rather lengthened, 

 forward-placed legs, I prefer to class them with the Geese rather than with the Ducks. 



