THE PINK-HEADED DUCK. 177 
I send you four. These, as you will observe, are of precisely 
. the same type as the one I formerly sent you. 
“The nest was well hidden in tall grass (Audropogon murt- 
catum), and both male and female were started from the vicinity 
of the nest, which was about 400 yards from a nullah contain- 
ing water. The nest was well formed, made of dry grass, inter- 
spersed with a few feathers, the interior portion being circular, 
and about 9 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 inches deep.” 
To the Aszaz he sent the following further interesting note :— 
“During the cold weather, November to March, the Pink- 
headers remain in flocks, varying from 6 to 30, or even 40 birds, 
in the lagoons adjoining the larger rivers, and have been observed 
by myself in considerable numbers in the southern and 
western portions of this district, that portion of Eastern Bhaugul- 
pore which lies immediately to the north of the river Ganges, 
and the south-western parts of Maldah. They come up to the 
central or higher parts of the Purneah district in pairs, during the 
month of April, begin to build in May, and their eggs may be 
found in June and July. The nests are well formed, (made of 
dry grass interspersed with a few feathers,) perfectly circular 
in shape, about 9 inches in diameter, and 4 or 5 inches deep, 
with 3 to 4-inch walls, and have no special lining. The nests 
are placed in the centre of tufts of tall grass, well hidden, and 
difficult to find, generally not more than 500 yards from water. 
They lay from 5 to 10 eggs in a nest. Both the male and female 
have been started simultaneously from the vicinity of the nest ; 
but whether the former assists in incubation is uncertain, 
though, judging from the loss of weight during the breeding 
season, the male must be in constant attendance at the nest. 
The weights of five males, shot between 13th February and 28th 
June 1880, in consecutive order being—(1), 2 Ibs. 3 ozs. (13th 
Pebiuaty)(2)) 1 ibs 14 zs. ; (3),2 tbs. ; (4), 1 Ib: 13 ozs. ; and (5); 
1 ib. 12 ozs., (28th June). When the young are fledged in Septem- 
ber and October, the Pink-headers retire with the receding waters 
to their usual haunts—the jungly lagoons. 
“ The following account, as indicating their strong attachment 
to their young, may prove of interest. On the 17th July 1880, 
whilst searching for Pink-header’s nests with T. H. at the north- 
ern extremity of Patraha Katal, where nests were reported, we 
flushed a female Pink-header in the grass jungle on the banks of 
the Patraha jhil. T.H. fired with his Miniature Express ata 
distance of about 300 yards at the bird which had settled at the 
other end of the jhil. The ball was seen by both of us to strike 
the water some distance above, and a little to the left of the bird 
which did not rise. Upon going up to the spot, to our sur- 
prise she fluttered about and dragged herself along with loud 
quackings. Being closely pursued, she flew along at an eleva- 
tion of about 6 feet from the ground in a manner that led us 
to believe that she was badly wounded, and one of her wings 
Y 
