464 



and abundant in Mongolia, where it is never shot, and where it nests in the precipitous rocks. 

 Temminck and Schlegel record it from Japan ; and Mr. Swinhoe states that during the winter it 

 is common in China on inland waters, but rare on the coast. 



In its habits the present species is said to have as much, if not more, affinity with the Geese 

 than with the true Ducks. It walks like a Goose, with ease, and grazes in the cornfields on the 

 tender shoots, and it feeds on grain, seeds of various kinds, and also, to some extent, on fish, 

 worms, frogs, &c. It is shy, and not easy of approach, keeping in open places, where it can see 

 an intruder from a distance and take flight in good time. Von Heuglin says that it is seldom 

 seen in company with other Ducks, and is usually found during the day-time on the fields or 

 even on the true desert, and in the morning and evening it visits the lakes and pools. It has 

 also much in common with the common Sheldrake in its general habits ; and like that species 

 it frequently nests in a hole in the ground, but also in hollow trees and in clefts in cliffs. 

 Messrs. Elwes and Buckley say (I. c.) that in the Dobrudscha the nest is very difficult to find, 

 being always in a hole, sometimes in the middle of a corn-field, and the male bird keeps watch 

 near by to call the female off her eggs when any one approaches. In a letter received from the 

 collector of Mr. Moschler in Southern Russia, a copy of which has been forwarded to me by the 

 latter gentleman, he says : — " The Ruddy Sheldrake breeds here in hollow trees ; and the male 

 perches on a branch of the same tree in which the female is sitting, and gives warning in case of 

 clanger ; and the female leaves her eggs when warned, and both birds fly round. Should any one 

 approach with a dog, the Ducks will fly close to the latter, and can then be shot ; but if once 

 missed they are careful to keep well out of range." In Dauria, according to Dr. Dybowski, it 

 breeds in hollow trees, in hollow fallen logs, and in clefts of the rocks, as well as in deserted 

 nests of birds of prey, and deposits from twelve to sixteen eggs about the middle of May. 

 Mr. Salvin found it breeding in Algeria, and Canon Tristram in Palestine, in clefts in the cliffs. 

 The nest itself consists merely of down plucked from the breast of the bird, which forms a soft 

 couch for the eggs. These are not to be distinguished from those of the common Sheldrake, 

 either in size or colour, being pale creamy in colour, the surface of the shell being very 

 smooth. 



In India there is a curious legend respecting the present species, arising probably from its 

 habit of calling to its mate at intervals during the night. Dr. Jerdon, referring to this, says 

 " the Hindoos have a legend that two lovers for some indiscretion were transformed into 

 Braminy Ducks, that they are condemned to pass the night apart from each other on opposite 

 banks of the river, and that all night long each, in its turn, asks its mate if it shall come across, 

 but the question is always met in the negative — ■' Chakwa, shall I come?' 'No, Chakwi.' 

 ' Chakwi, shall I come V ' No, Chakwa.' " It is also supposed in some parts of India that 

 whoever kills -one of these Ducks will be doomed to perpetual celibacy; hence they are there 

 seldom molested, at least by the natives. 



The call-note of this species is a clear trumpet sound, more resembling the note of a 

 Goose than of a Duck; and when scattered about in the fields they frequently call to each 

 other. 



The specimens figured are an adult male, from Athens, in the British Museum, and a 

 female, from Spain, in my own collection. 



