THE CHESTNUT-COLOUEED SHELDRAKE 145 



The Plumed Whistling Duck. 



Denclrocycna eytoiii. 



Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand (accidental). 



Upper part of head, liind-neek, and breast pale brown; sides of head 

 and neck grey, fading into white on throat; back of wings greyish brown, 

 with paler edges; sides and lower breast reddish and barred with black; 

 feathers of the flanks very long, of a, buff colour and margined with 

 black; abdomen buffy white; bill has a mottled patch in the centre. 

 Total length 16 inches, wing 9.5, tail 3, eulmen 1.6, tarsus 2. 



Nest a scraped out depression in long grass on the plains, 

 and well lined with down. From eight to twelve cream-coloured 

 eggs are laid, and they measure about 1.94 x 1.54 inch. 



Genus Tadorna. 

 Front of lower tarsus with transverse scales. Sexes alike 

 in plumage. 



The White-headed Sheldrake. 



Tadorna rufitergum (radjah). 



Northern Australia, Moluccas and New Gviinea. 



Head, neck, breast and abdomen white; back, scapulars, rump and 

 upper tail-coverts black; the mantle has narrow chestnut lines; a chestnut 

 pectoral band, with narrow black lines; upper wing-coverts white; 

 primaries and coverts black; a glossy green speculum on the secondaries; 

 tail black; bill and feet white. Total length about 19 inches, wing 11, 

 tail 5, eulmen 1.75, tarsus 2.12. 



Nest generally in a hollow in a tree. From eight to ten eggs 

 are laid, of a very pale whitish-cream colour. They measure 

 about 2.36 x 1.72 inch. 



Genus Casarca. 



Lamellae on edge of lower mandible projecting outwards. 

 Sexes differing in plumage. 



The Chestnut-Coloured Sheldrake (Mountain Duck). 



Casarca tadornoides. 



Australia (not north) and Tasmania. 



Head and upper part of the neck glossy dark green; a white ring 

 round the middle of the neck; below the ring and the upper part of the 

 back and breast are red; back, scapulars and lower parts black, finely 



