452 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Chaulelasmus streperus, Linn. (Gadwall). — This is one of the 

 commonest Duck found here in the cold weather. They begin to 

 arrive very early, as in the year 1900 I saw a big flock on August 

 20th at Dalsingh Serai. I have never found this species shy 

 unless they have been shot over a good deal. They seem to 

 have no favourite haunts, and are found alike in both deep and 

 shallow water. They are good divers when wounded, and I 

 have always found the female better at concealing herself than 

 the male. 



Nettium crecca, Linn. (Common Teal). — Extremely common 

 from November to March. 



Mareca penelope, Linn. (Wigeon). — Scarce. I have very sel- 

 dom seen this species, and possess very few specimens. 



Dafila acuta, Linn. (Pintail). — Very common, arriving towards 

 the end of October and leaving in February. During the cold 

 weather of 1897 this Duck came in such enormous numbers 

 to feed in the rice-fields as to do considerable damage to the 

 crop. 



Querquedula circia, Linn. (Garganey or Blue-winged Teal).- — 

 This is about the commonest Duck here in the cold weather, and 

 one of the earliest to arrive, as I have seen several in August. It 

 is possible that some remain to breed in the plains, as has been 

 suggested by some ornithologists, but there is no authentic 

 record of its having done so as yet. 



Spatula clypeata, Linn. (Shoveler). — Fairly common. They 

 begin to arrive in November, and stay sometimes to the end of 

 April. This species is very wary and difficult to approach, and is 

 the first Duck on the water to take alarm. It does not dive when 

 wounded (at least, this is my experience), as most Ducks do, but 

 tries to reach cover if there be any near. 



Netta rufina, Pall. (Red-crested Pochard). — Extremely com- 

 mon, arriving in October and leaving in March. 



Nyroca ferina, Linn. (Pochard). — Scarce. A small flock was 

 seen at Dalsingh Serai in January, 1900. I bought off a native 

 fowler a fine male in November, 1900, and shot another at 

 Dalsingh Serai in January, 1901, out of a small flock. Mr. F. 

 Finn, in his book, ' How to know the Indian Ducks,' says: "A 

 male's eyes have been observed to change colour from red to 

 vellow when it was handled." This was the case with the first 



