THE RUDDY SHELLDRAKE OR BRAHMINY DUCK. 127 
It seems to be that thoroughly confident in their own cease- 
less watchfulness, and quite aware of the range of shot-guns, 
they are too wise to take the trouble of moving until this 
becomes really needed. 
Everywhere the same thing is to be noticed, and there is 
hardly a bridge of boats or much-frequented ferry on any of our 
larger rivers, close to which a pair, at least, of these handsome 
wide-awake birds may not be found during the cold season. Other 
Ducks and Geese mostly shun the busy haunts of men, but these 
seem only to search for spots that suit them (nice sazdy and not 
muddy, or rocky banks are what they like), and then “men may 
come and men may go,’ but there they are as persistent as their 
beloved river. 
A philosophical contempt for everything and every one well 
outside gun range, and a rooted determination to allow no 
one to approach within this, equally characterize these birds ; _ 
and though they mostly keep by and to themselves, yet where 
other Water Fowl are numerous, they are necessarily near some 
of these, and in such cases become veritable Jdétes nozrs to 
sportsmen. 
Not only do they carefully provide for their own safety, but 
they seem positively to take a malicious pleasure in spoiling - 
all sport. You are working down on a lumpof Fowl—a few 
minutes more and you will be within range. Suddenly the loud 
call of the Brahminy sounds, and rising out of a hollow in the 
sand where they have been squatting, you see a pair waddling 
to the water’s edge. Again and again the pair call and answer, 
(side by side, as they are, one would think that save out of sheer 
spite they need not shout at each other thus,) then with a rapid 
chuckle off they go, their wings clattering as they rise like a train 
on an iron culvert, and with them of course go all the Fowl. Further 
on are a lot of Geese ; you work towards them—vain hope. The 
ruddy wideawakes have alighted near these now, and duly put 
them up before you are within a hundred yards, and some- 
times a pair will thus persecute you for a couple of miles, before 
they finally turn up stream to return to their proper beat. As 
Mr. Reid truly remarks :— 
“‘ Sportsmen, as a rule, detest the Brahminy Duck. It not 
only keeps a sharp look-out on its own account, but will fly 
along the jhil side before-the gunner, uttering its warning 
note and putting every bird on the guz vive. In fact, it is almost 
impossible to get up to a flock of Ducks if there is a Brahminy 
amongst them, or, I may add, any where near them.” 
Still it is possible to come to an understanding even with 
them. Keep a small bore express rifle ; they offer superb shots, 
and knock over as many as you can at I50 yards and up- 
wards. After being at this game a few days, and killing five or 
six, not a Brahminy in the neighbourhood will let you approach 
within a quarter of a mile, and thenceforth they give you so 
