76 SARCIDIORNIS MELANOTA 



These birds evidently live to a great age, as Hubbard (1907) mentions specimens 

 as still living in the London Zoological Gardens, which were received in 1876; which 

 would make them over thirty years of age. They are hardy and live out of doors, as 

 is evidenced by the fact that they are able to endure the winter climate of New York, 

 for example. 



According to Hume and Marshall (1879) and others, the Comb Ducks are easily 

 tamed and are often captured and kept by natives in both India and Africa. Pollen 

 (1866) says that in Madagascar they were often taken at the moulting period, and 

 mated very readily with Muscovies, particularly when tamed early in life. He noted 

 that they did not get along well with domestic ducks. There are no recorded in- 

 stances of hybrids produced by matings with domestic Mallards. 



In the Berlin Zoological Gardens, Heinroth (1911) was able to make some interest- 

 ing observations on a Comb Duck whose wings had been allowed to grow. This full- 

 winged bird always flew without previous warning signs, and was gone for half a 

 day at a time. When returning, it did not circle about like most other water-fowl, 

 but shot directly down into the pond. 



Their manner of fighting, according to Heinroth, is somewhat different from that 

 of the Spur-wing or the Muscovy. They approach their adversaries with head and 

 neck somewhat laid back, coming up from the side in a peculiar manner, at the same 

 time lifting the wings, particularly the secondaries, before jumping at the opponent. 

 This combatant attitude would usually put to flight the Black Sheldrakes who are 

 as a rule very quarrelsome birds. 



The price of these birds has averaged about $30.00 a pair in Europe, but since the 

 War it would certainly be far more than this. 



