1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



221 



This large duck is, like the last one, less common towards the south, 

 than in the more northern parts of the Peninsula. Is frequently seen in 

 pairs, or small parties of 4, 5 or G, but occasionally, as in the Chilka lake, 

 in numerous flocks of some hundreds. Only found, as far as I can learn, 

 in the Peninsula, during the cold weather. Colonel Sykes, however, ap- 

 pears to think that they are resident in India, throughout the whole 

 year. Found much on rivers. Mr. Elliot in his notes says " Foimd in 

 pairs, often several pairs together, shy, uttering a peculiar deep note 

 which has a strong resemblance to deeply intonated d-oungy The 

 Hindoos consider them the models of conjugal tenderness. The flesh 

 is held in no esteem in this country. 



Irides dark brown ; bill and legs black. 



387. — T. ? jxEcilorliynclia. — A. pmcilorhyncha^ Gmel. — Gurm-pace^ H. 

 Spoited-ljilled Duck.— Large Grey Duck. 



This fine duck is most common in the more wooded parts of the 

 country, and is a permanent resident, breeding in retired places and 

 marshy spots, among the jungles, during the hot weather. 



Irides brown ; bill black, yellow at the tip, red at the base ; legs deep 

 red. Length 2 feet to 26 inches ; tarsus 2\ ; weight about 3~lbs. Is 

 excellent eating. I am by no means certain, that it is a true Tadomer^ 

 being perhaps a species of J5osc/«tt5, or Chaidiodufi but the elevation of 

 the bill at the base, has induced me to consider it as a Tadomer. I on 

 one occasion found a couple of small fish in the gizzard of this Duck, be- 

 sides vegetable matter and gravel. 



368. — T.f cayophyllacea.-— Pink-headed Duck, Lath. 



Though I have not yet seen this Duck, I venture to include it in my 

 present Catalogue, from the concurrent testimony of several Shikarees, 

 who described it, so as to leave no doubt in my mind of its being the spe- 

 cies named as above. It is said to be an occasional, though very rare 

 visitor to the rivers and tanks of the country, about Jaulnah, during the 

 cold weather only. 



Sub Family FULIGULIN^, Svv. 



Genus FULIGULA. 



389. — F. rufina, Stephens.— Red- headed Pochard. 

 Not very common in the Peninsula, generally in small parties in tht; 

 cold weather. 



