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To the eastward it occurs from the Caspian, where it was obtained by Menetries at Bakou, 

 to the temperate parts of India, but it is not recorded from Siberia by any of the Russian 

 travellers. Dr. Jerdon (B. of Ind. iii. p. 811) says that " it is found throughout the greater part 

 of India, is more rare in the south, and chiefly frequents the larger tanks and j heels. It generally 

 keeps to the middle of the tanks, and is a wary bird, not usually allowing a near approach. Its 

 flesh is juicy, tender, and high-flavoured, and is by some considered the finest Duck for the table. 

 A writer in the ' Indian Sporting Review ' remarks that during the day they are constantly on 

 the move, now pursuing one another, now screaming, all up at once, then down again." Dr. 

 Leith Adams (P. Z. S. 1858, p. 510) records it as " a winter visitor on the lakes and rivers of the 

 Punjab. Not common;" and Major Irby (Ibis, 1861, p. 250) found it exceedingly numerous in 

 Oudh and Kumaon in the cold season. 



In its habits the present species very closely resembles the Common Pochard, and like that 

 species is usually found frequenting freshwater lakes and marshes. Exceedingly shy, it can only 

 be approached within a considerable distance, and is most difficult to shoot. It does not dive, but, 

 like the Mallard, when feeding in shallow water it turns end up, and stretching down its neck 

 reaches and plucks up the water-plants on which it feeds. It is not solitary in its habits, but 

 several are often seen together in company, though at the same time it rarely consorts with 

 others besides its own species. 



Its call-note is, by Naumann, said to be very harsh, not unlike the croak of a Crow, and 

 much more closely resembling that than the quack of a Duck ; it is, however, not often uttered, 

 only when the bird flies up, or when it is in the immediate vicinity of its nest. It feeds on water- 

 plants, aquatic insects, small freshwater shell-fish, and fish- or frog-spawn; but its chief food consists 

 of vegetable matter of various sorts. 



It places its nest close to some sheet of fresh water, and deposits from eight to nine eggs. 

 Mr. Osbert Salvin and Canon Tristram both found it breeding in Algeria. The latter writes 

 (Ibis, 1860, p. 164) that at Halloula he " obtained a single egg of the Red-crested Whistling Duck 

 in the open swamps. My companion shot the bird as it rose from the nest. Fuligula rufina 

 breeds sparingly at the lake, but remains there throughout the winter. The males appear to 

 desert the locality as soon as the females sit, and are never seen again until the end of the 

 autumn. I have observed that the female erects her scanty crest in imitation of her mate, and 

 proudly throws back her head, walking with a stately gait. The nest is like that of the Coot, 

 but not so large, better-concealed, and without the gangway of rushes built by the other." 

 Mr. Salvin also writes (Ibis, 1859, p. 363) that " in the open pools at the upper end of the 

 marsh of Zana, I used frequently to see several pairs of the Red-crested Duck. Two nests only 

 were obtained. The second lot, consisting of seven eggs, were of a most brilliant fresh green 

 colour when unblown ; the contents were no sooner expelled, and the egg dry, than the delicate 

 tints were gone, and their beauty sadly diminished." 



Dr. E. Baldamus (Jour. f. O. 1870, p. 278) gives a most interesting account of the breeding 

 of this Duck in Central Germany, from which I translate the following: — "Branta rufina breeds 

 on a pond overgrown with reeds, flags, and other aquatic plants, and situated close to the 

 Mansfelder (or Eisleber) salt lake, where I discovered this beautiful Duck four years ago. Since 

 then I have visited this interesting pond annually, and have had repeated opportunities of 



4d 



