Although specimens of this Duck were procured by Gould from the extreme eastern point of 

 Australia to tli- lakes running parallel to the coast of Western Australia, and from numerous 

 intermediate places, none of them presented any sufficiently marked differences for him to establish a 

 second species, and doubtless those inhabiting Western Australia arc similar in habits and diet to those 

 found in tli. eastern portion of the continenl and Tasmania. All display the same love of solitude 

 .,i M | fear of man. and lonelj individuals will often be found in some solitary pool, living in undisturbed 

 seclusion, and feeding on small frogs, shrimps, mussels, cockles, leeches and aquatic worms. For some 

 months the bird will lead this hermit-like existence till the food supply is exhausted, and it flies away 

 Iq U a mate of the opposite Bex dwelling under similar circumstances to its own. 



The diving capabilities of the Musk Duck are very great, and seem to be depended upon 

 both for procuring food and for preservation from danger ; for when surprised by the sportsman, 

 instead of rising and flying, it will dive the instant the trigger is drawn, and remain beneath the 

 surface for fl length of time, onlv re-appearing again to breathe at long intervals, till the patience of 

 the enemy is exhausted. 



Generally preferring to haunt the fresh-water pools and narrow tortuous creeks, solitary 

 individuals or pairs are vet frequently met with in salt water, in most eases far up some deep inlet 

 of the >ea. engaged in fishing or swimming rapidly along near the shore, looking for some secluded 

 spot which promise- to be free from intrusion even by other birds. 



Parallel to the coast of Western Australia are a series of lakes and marshes, and here, in 

 this portion of the continent, these unsociable birds, abandoning the pools and waterholes of the rivers 

 and creeks, resorl for oidification. In some cases the nest is built on the top of a log, where a 

 branch forms a suitable angle for the purpose, or on the bank, two or three feet above the level of 

 the water, and both care and labour are manifested in its construction, dried reeds and long grass 

 being placed together in a rough lattice-work and lined with soft feathers and down, plucked by the 

 male and female birds from their own breasts. Two eggs only are usually found in each nest, of a 

 pale olive colour, and three inches long by two broad. During the period of incubation the female 

 bird rarely leaves the nc>t. except when pressed by the pangs of hunger, and by the time the young 

 birds are hatched her body has become thin to emaciation. The young take to the water with the 

 parent bird- within a day or SO after leaving their shells, and if the mother is surprised by man when 

 accompanied by them they immediately mount upon and cling to her back and dive to a place of 

 safety, in the same manner as the Grebes. 



The Dote of this bird is peculiar, resembling the sound caused by a large drop of water 

 falling int<> ;| deep well, and not unlike that made by opening the lips suddenly. 



The colour i> a dusky brown, which is of a deeper shade on the crown of the head and back 

 of the neck. On the remaining surfaces the feathers are margined with a lighter- shade; the wings 

 are of a deeper brown ; bill and lobe underneath, dark grey -green ; legs and feet, dark grey; irides, brown 



In the female the colour is not quite so pronounced in the markings of. the feathers, and 

 she does not possess the appendage under the bill. 



Habitats: The whole of the southern and part of the eastern and western portions of 

 Australia; also Tasmania and the islands of Bass's Straits. 



