ANAS PCECILOKHYNCHA. 1075 



accidentally trod on him when walking through the water in search of one of the others ! " I have, however, 

 seen " flappers " of the Common Wild Duck remain a very long time under water. The call of this species 

 is said to be like that of the Mallard, but not often repeated. 



Nidification. — The breeding-season of the Spotted-billed Duck in India is in July and August. It 

 usually constructs a nest of grass and rushes, lined with down and feathers, placed on the ground among 

 rushes, long grass, reeds, or sedge. Mr. Hume, however, speaks of a nest which was placed on the drooping 

 branch of a tree, which hung down into a thick clump of rushes in a jheel. It was about 9 inches above the 

 water, and was firmly based on a horizontal trifurcation of the bough. Fine grass was mingled in this case 

 with the down and feathers, which, as usual, must have been plucked by the bird from its body. The 

 number of eggs does not appear to exceed seven ; they are described as broad ovals, smooth in texture, and 

 white or greyish white in colour. They vary in length, says Mr. Hume, from 2 - 08 to 23 inches, and in 

 breadth from 1-65 to 1"8. 



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