154 DENDROCYGNA JAVANICA 



show that the nest may be found, constructed of sticks, fairly high in the branches of 

 large trees, in hollows between huge branches of old trees, in holes in trunks, on low 

 palms or thorny bushes, in dense clumps of reeds, on the ground, in thick grass or on 

 the water on floating patches of tangled water-weeds. Finn (1915) admirably sums 

 up the situation when he says that the nest may be found anywhere except under- 

 ground. Baker (1908), who personally took very many nests in Assam, makes some 

 interesting observations. The typical sites he found to be: (1) the dense grass cover- 

 ing the sides of the banks raised by villagers across inundated land; (2) massive 

 structures of grasses and water-weeds on tiny islands in flooded districts, and always 

 completely covered with a dome, so that they could not be seen, even from above; 

 (3) in Cachar, at the foot of the hills, in clumps of densely foliaged trees, generally 

 babul, often growing actually in the water; at the height of the floods the tops of these 

 trees may be only a few feet above water, and the nest is a rough and ready con- 

 struction of weeds, sungrass and rushes, rarely lined with a few feathers, sometimes 

 a few twigs being used; (4) near the top of dense cane-brakes, which will bear con- 

 siderable weight, and are so thick as to offer good protection against rain; the nests 

 themselves are here mere thick, coarse pads, about eighteen to twenty-four inches 

 in diameter, with no especial depression in the center; (5) in large forks or hollows, 

 and if in the former they may be quite well built of twigs, lined with grass and a few 

 feathers. 



When nesting in trees the birds commonly make use of the nests of other birds, 

 such as Cormorants, Kites, Paddy-birds, or Crows (Hume and Marshall, 1879). 

 When Crows' nests are chosen they are usually the ones built by Corvus splendens 

 (Baker, 1908). 



The clutch is not, as a rule, large, but averages from six to eight, or a slightly 

 larger number, according to the locality. Clutches of twelve to fourteen have been 

 reported (A. Anderson, 1874). Baker, with his wide experience, suggests that in the 

 eastern parts of India the clutches are smaller than in the western districts. 



We do not know whether the male ever actually assists the female in incubation, 

 but he is so often found perching near the nest that he probably does take some part. 

 Hume and Marshall (1879) speak of a case in which the two parent birds were found 

 sitting on the nest together, which is at least suggestive. The female sits very closely 

 and may sometimes be caught in the hand. The period of incubation is not known, 

 but probably is longer than that of the true ducks; that is, from thirty to thirty- 

 three days. 



The observations made by Hume and Marshall (1879) as to the transportation 

 of the ducklings to the water when the nest is in a tree must be included here. Hume 

 claims to have seen a female carry down seven ducklings, one at a time, in her claws. 

 Such statements have so frequently been made by natives, or unintelligent folk, that 

 peculiar interest attaches to this case, and one is rather forced to the conclusion 



