176 THE PINK-HEADED DUCK. 
and nullahs and ponds hemmed in by forest, appear to be 
its favourite, if not its only, haunts. During the cold season it 
keeps commonly in small parties of from four to eight or ten, 
but is sometimes seen in flocks of from twenty to thirty. 
During the breeding season they are found in pairs. Mr. 
F, A. Shillingford, who has rendered me more assistance than 
any one else where this species is concerned, writes, that it “may 
be freely found throughout the year in the southern and western 
portions of the Purneah district. From November to. April 
they are to be met with in flocks, numbering as many as twenty, 
along the swamps adjoining the rivers Great Coosee and Ganges ; 
and during the rainy season (June to September) I have 
observed that they are usually seen in pairs, and are to be met 
with generally in the higher parts only of the district. Though 
not to be met within such numbers as the commoner species, 
they are not considered at all rare in this district, but they are 
difficult to get at, remaining, as they do during the cold season, 
in large swamps fringed with dense jungle.” 
Mr. J. C. Parker writes :—“ Years ago I have fired at them 
when passing with other Ducks, when out shooting in the dhz/s 
of Kishnaghur and Jessore. They were easy to distinguish by 
their beautiful pink heads and salmon-coloured wing-linings. 
The flight of this Duck is very powerful and rapid.” 
“Tts call,” says Mr. Shillingford, “resembles that of the com- 
mon drake, witha slight musical ring about it.” 
Hodgson notes :— “Lives and breeds below always. Avoids 
flowing waters ; shy ; resides in remote jhils and feeds at night.” 
Jerdon says :—“ It shows a decided preference for tanks and 
jhils well sheltered by overhanging bushes, or abounding in 
dense reeds; and in such places it may be found in the cold 
season in flocks of twenty or so occasionally, but generally in 
smaller parties of from four to eight. During the heat of the 
day, it generally remains near the middle of the tank or jhil, 
and is somewhat shy and wary.” 
Mr. Shillingford says that the gizzard of one specimen that 
he examined contained “ half-digested water weeds and various 
kinds of small shells.” 
Beyond this there is absolutely nothing on record. 
Mr. F. A. SHILLINGFORD and his brother had found the eggs 
of this species in former years ; but the egg he sent me was so 
very peculiar that I hesitated to accept it as genuine, and at my 
request he, and several of his friends, set to work to discover a 
a nest, and he was soon able to send me the following note :— 
“On the 3rd of July Mr. 2. Hull, of Jouneah Mactons 
succeeded in finding a nest of the Pink-headed Duck near 
the Dabeepoor Factory. 
“The nest contained nine much incubated eggs, of which 
