132 THE RUDDY SHELLDRAKE OR BRAHMINY DUCK. 
them on their backs, as their feet are not so well suited for 
grasping things as are those of the Whistling Teal. 
The Drake takes no part, we are told, in incubation; but 
whilst the female is sitting, always mounts guard close at hand 
to call her off the eggs should any cause for alarm appear, and 
once the young are in the water, keeps with them, and watches 
over them closely as I can testify. 
Dr. Scully says: “The Ruddy Shieldrake was observed in 
the plains of Kashgharia in the beginning of winter, and 
from March to August it was exceedingly plentiful in the 
lakes and swamps of Sughuchak, near Yarkand. I met with 
many young birds, unable to fly, usually swimming about 
with the old female bird. In July, I saw a party of about 
ten of these Ducks amongst some rushes ; they had a sentinel 
bird placed at some little distance from the main flock, and 
on seeing me approach he gavea sort of warning cry which 
seemed to put his party on the alert. When I got a few 
steps nearer, the watcher gave a loud scream and flew up, followed 
by the rest of the party. This bird seems to walk very easily on 
dry land and always in a curiously erect manner. The Yarkandis 
say that this species migrates to India in winter, and that the 
eggs are laid in some dry place away from water; as soon as 
the young bird emerges from the egg, the mother seizes it and 
puts it into the water.” 
I have never obtained an egg from the Himalayas; most 
sportsmen, owing to the difficulty of crossing the passes so early, 
reach their breeding haunts too late; eggs sent from Southern 
Russia are moderately broad ovals, slightly pointed towards one 
end, creamy or ivory white in colour, rather thin and very 
smooth-shelled. 
They vary from 2°4 to 2'7 in length, and from 1°7 to I’9 in 
breadth. Probably a good series would show greater variations. 
THESE BIRDS vary much in size and even more in weight 
according to age, but age for age the males are always larger 
and heavier than the females. 
The following is a resumé of many measurements of, appar- 
ently, full grown birds :— E 
Matles—Length, 24°5 to 27:0; expanse, 48°0 to 52°5; wing, 
14°25 to 15°5; tail from vent, 5:4 to 63; tarsus, 2°3fo seem 
bill from gape, 2°2 to 2-4; weight, 3 lbs. to 4lbs. 4 ozs. 
Females—Length, 21:75 to 24:0; expanse, 42°5 to 47.75; 
wing, 12°36 to 14:0; tail from vent, 5:06 to 60; tarsus; 7212 
to 24; bill from gape, 2°0 to 2°3 ;. weight, 2 lbs. aejez te 
3 lbs. 5 ozs. 
The irides are deep brown, almost black at times; the bill 
is black, at times leaden dusky ; the legs and feet are most 
commonly entirely black (at times the webs with a purplish 
tinge) not unfrequently, however, they are only blackish brown, 
