Indian Birds 
The Ducks, 229 and 230 
These being game birds do not come within 
the scope of this work. ‘Two species, however, 
which are commonly seen are not usually shot 
by sportsmen on account of their indifferent 
flavour. These I describe. 
229. Casarca rutila: The Ruddy Sheldrake, 
or Brahminy Duck. (F. 1588), (J. 954), (- V-) 
This is a curious pale ruddy-brown bird, 
whitish on the head. Tail and wings black. 
Bill, legs, and feet blackish. 
This handsome duck is a winter visitor to 
India. It is very abundant in N. India, less 
abundant in S. India, not being found at all on 
the Malabar coast. It invariably goes about in 
pairs, which dwell in rivers rather than in 
tanks. They are wary birds and a great 
nuisance to sportsmen, since they warn other 
water-fowl of danger. “ It is difficult,” writes 
Blanford, “so long as one is on an Indian 
river to get out of sight of these birds or out of 
hearing of their peculiar clanging bi-syllabic 
call or alarm cry, which is uttered frequently 
on the smallest excuse.” The cry is like a soft 
“ chakwa,” hence the Hindustani name of the 
226 
