^00 MALAYAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



species of Dendfocygna by its small size ; out of the dozens which 

 I shot at different times I do not think one ever exceeded 17 

 inches in length. 



A male shot at Kota Lama, Perak, on 17th February, 1877, was 16 

 inches in length ; irides dark brown, orbits bright yellow ; legs 

 and beak bluish-black ; head and neck dull brown, the former dark 

 ou the crown; chin whitish; underparts ruddy brown, except the 

 vent and under tail-coverts, which were whitish ; wings black ; 

 lesser coverts and the upper tail-coverts rich chestnut ; back dusky 

 black, each feather terminating with a broad band of rusty brown. 



Nettapus coeomandelianus (Gm.). The White-bodied Goose 

 Teal. 



The beautiful, and most appropriately named, little Goose-Teal 

 is exceedingly plentiful among the jheels and swamps of the main- 

 land ; but I never met with it on Singapore or any of the islands 

 along the coast. In many respects it is very Anserine, whence its 

 name, having the short high bill, pure white colouring, and hoarse 

 cry of the Goose tribe. 



The Goose Teal is generally found in small parties of from four 

 to ten, often associating with the Whistling Teal ; and I have on 

 several occasions got specimens of both species at one shot. 



They seem to prefer open sheets of shallow water to thick cover, 

 but on being disturbed become very shy and retire to quiet creeks 

 or back waters surrounded by jungle. Though I often found them 

 on flooded meadows, I rarely (in fact do not think I ever) saw 

 them actually on dry land. Their legs are so short and set so 

 far back that probably they seldom attempt to walk, but on the 

 water are quite at Lome swimming and diving exceedingly well, 

 and when slightly wounded are very hard to secure. 



I remember once trying, for nearly half an hour to catch a 

 Goose Teal which fell winged into a shallow pool. It stayed 

 under water a marvellous length of time at each dive, and when 

 it did rise to the surface showed only its head, disappearing again 

 the instant I moved ; but at length I tired it out and consigned it 

 to the bag. These birds also have the power of sinking their 

 bodies below the water till nothing but their head is visible, hoping 

 thus to escape notice. • -t • 



