8 ANAS ANGUSTIROSTRIS 



Baluchistan, at an elevation of 5000 feet, a female and fourteen ducklings were seen 

 in August (Aitken, 1914). 



The nest itself presents no peculiarities. It is usually placed in a clump of rushes, 

 or on the flat shore, ordinarily close to the water, though some have been found as 

 much as 700 feet, or even two or three kilometers from the water (Zarudny, 1889-90; 

 Zedlitz, 1914). A. Chapman and Buck (1910) say the nests are well concealed, and 

 some are approached by a sort of tunnel. In exceptional cases they found the nest 

 built a foot high in the branches of a samphire bush with a little clear space beneath, 

 and overhanging shallow water. Along the Euphrates the birds seemed to prefer 

 dry situations not far from the river. I cannot help thinking that Seebohm's (1882) 

 statement, that in Astrakan, hollow trees and old crows' nests are used, must apply 

 to some other species. 



The clutch is quite variable, numbering from seven to twelve (Zarudny, 1889-90), 

 or even fifteen (H. Noble, 1902). The average is ten or eleven. According to Irby 

 (1875) the eggs resemble those of the Common Teal. They are pale to reddish cream 

 in color, measuring from 42.4-50.6 by 31.5-36.0 mm.; the average of fifty-seven eggs 

 was 46.2 by 33.9 mm. (Hartert, 1920a). The incubation period varies from 

 twenty-five to twenty-seven days (Favier, fide Irby, 1875). During incubation the 

 males flock together and pay no attention to the family when the young are hatched 

 (Zarudny, 1889-90). 



Status. The irregularity in occurrence of this species is one of its peculiarities, 

 and makes it almost impossible to give any definite statement in regard to its abun- 

 dance. In Morocco and Algeria it is certainly one of the most plentiful species 

 (Irby, 1875; Zedlitz, 1914) and even in winter it is exceeded only by the Common 

 Teal in Tangiers (F &vier, fide Irby, 1875). A. Chapman and Buck (1910) consider it 

 one of the most abundant breeding ducks along the marshes of the Guadalquivir, 

 but there, as elsewhere, it is irregular in occurrence (H. Noble, 1902). According 

 to Loche (1867) there had been a great decrease in Algeria since the time of the 

 French occupation (1839-40). In Transcaspia it is easily the commonest nesting 

 duck. On the overflowed meadows of the Alikhanow Canal an " immense number of 

 nests" were found (Zarudny, 1889-90). In northwestern India it arrives in large 

 numbers to pass the winter (Hume and Marshall, 1879). In a recent letter to me 

 Colonel Meinertzhagen described a large flight which visited Kantara (Suez Canal) 

 on the 18th and 19th of April, 1920. Whence they came or whither they were bound, 

 appeared to him a mystery. 



Enemies. Nothing recorded. 



Damage. Probably very slight. 



