584 



on the large lakes, where it breeds amongst the rushes. Mr. Salvin observed it in the marsh of 

 Zana, and writes that " this bird also breeds at Zana and Djendeli. We were more fortunate in 

 obtaining their eggs than those of the other species of Ducks. The Widgeon (Mareca penelope) 

 is not found in either place ; or at least we never saw it ; and so brilliant a bird as the cock could 

 hardly have escaped observation ; consequently the eggs from these districts may fairly be 

 ascribed to this bird, as no other Duck in the country lays similar eggs." We are indebted to 

 Major Irby for the following extract from Mr. Favier's manuscript notes : — " Found in abundance 

 in Morocco, crossing to Europe in May, returning in November and December. Many, however, 

 remain to nest, leaving with the return migration to winter probably in the interior of Africa. 

 They are more abundant at Ras Dowra than near Tangier. They nest in June and July, the 

 incubation lasting thirty days. The young are very difficult to rear, as they are so greedy as to 

 eat any bright objects, such as pins &c, which of course kills them;" and Major Irby writes 

 that he himself " found this Duck in hundreds at the lakes of Ras Dowra at the end of April, 

 and shot some close to the tents ' at flight ' in the evening at the same time as Anas marmorata ; 

 but they kept in separate flocks." 



The most western limit of the range of this species appears to be the Canaries, where it is 

 recorded as occurring occasionally during migration. To the eastward it goes as far as India, 

 where it has been found during the winter season. Dr. Jerdon writes that it is " exceedingly 

 common in Northern and Central India, less so in the south. It frequents both tanks and rivers, 

 and prefers grassy tanks and wooded j heels and rivers. It appears to feed a good deal during 

 the day, and is met with in large parties scattered among the grass or weeds, the birds often 

 rising singly." Major Irby informs us that he found it common in Oudh during the winter, and 

 considered it one of the best Ducks for the table. Mr. W. T. March (Proc. Phil. Ac. 1864, 

 p. 72) states that it has occurred in Jamaica, but that it is very rare there. Professor Newton, 

 however, thinks that there may have been a mistake in this statement. 



We are indebted to Dr. L. Taczanowski, of Warsaw, for the following notes on the habits 

 and nidification of this species in Poland: — " In the breeding-season it takes up its abode on the 

 ponds, lakes, and submerged marshes, or on rivers which are not rapid, and where the banks are 

 overgrown with herbage and bushes. It frequents both large and small sheets of water, even 

 small ponds in the fields or amongst brushwood, if well concealed by bushes and herbage. It 

 can easily be recognized on the wing, as it appears quite black above with a large white speculum 

 on the wing. Its call resembles that of Anas ferina, but is not so loud. The female places her 

 nest amongst the herbage on the very edge of even deep water, generally on a tussock, and some- 

 times in a bush two or three feet above the ground, always, however, carefully concealed. If 

 any one approaches the nest she slips noiselessly off, and into the water, avoiding observation by 

 diving. They lay seven to twelve eggs, usually yellowish, but sometimes grey or greenish. It 

 dives excellently well ; and if fired at and winged it tries to escape by swimming, but if it sees 

 that it is pursued it dives and does not reappear. An old sportsman knows this, and gives it a 

 second shot before it has time to get away. Their flesh is very good ; and in the autumn, when 

 they are fat, they do not taste fishy like many other Ducks, thus showing that they feed prin- 

 cipally on vegetable food." 



In Dresser's collection are eggs from Hungary and Prussia which in size vary from lf^ by 



