244 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
to the more open spaces of swamps. It procures most of its food out of 
the water, feeding on grass and herbage growing on the margins of streams 
and swamps; it often frequents flats some distance from water. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree, lined with down and 
feathers; often high up, and sometimes far from water. 
Eggs. — Six to twelve, creamy or creamy-white, the surface being 
smooth and lustrous. Breeding-season: all the year round, dependent on 
rainfall. 
9. Freckled Duck Stictonetta ncevosa Gould 
Stic-to-net'-ta — Gk, stictos, freckled; Gk, netta , duck: ncev-o-sa — L., 
ncevosus, spotted. 
Distribution. — Southern Australia (as far north as North West Cape, 
Western Australia, and the Flinders River, northern Queensland) and 
Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Monkey Duck and Speckled Duck. Usually in 
pairs or small Hocks, frequenting chiefly lakes and swamps of the inland 
districts. It is a rare species in coastal areas, generally arriving in the 
interior during periods of drought. Although a fast flier, it is rather a 
quiet species, spending much of its time resting on banks and fallen logs 
or floating lazily upon the water. Food : aquatic plants and animals. 
Nest. — A flat structure, composed of grass and herbage; lined with 
down. Generally well hidden among herbage growing in or near water, 
and sometimes with a platform leading to it. 
Eggs. — Five to seven or twelve, pale creamy-brown, the surface 
being smooth and highly lustrous. Breeding-season : September to 
November or December. 
10. Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus niembranaceus Latham 
Mal'-ac-o-rhynch'-us — Gk, malacos, soft; Gk, rhynchos ( rhugchos ), beak: 
mcm-bra-nd'-cc-us — L., membranaceus, adj. from membrana, membrane. 
Distribution. — Australia (except Western Australia south of North 
West Cape) and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Zebra Duck, Pink-eyed Duck, and Widgeon. 
Usually in pairs, occasionally in small flocks, frequenting chiefly shallow 
lakes and swamps. It is mostly confined to the inland districts and only 
occasionally visits the coast. Most of its food is procured by “shovelling” 
about with its bill in the mud at the bottom of the water; it often keeps 
its head under water for lengthy periods. Food: aquatic plants and 
animals. 
Nest . — A rounded mass of down plucked from the breasts of the 
parent birds and placed among grass or herbage growing in water, or on 
a deserted platform-shaped nest of another species. Not infrequently the 
nest is placed some feet from the entrance of a hollow limb or hole in a 
tree, from water-level up to a height of 20 feet or more. 
Eggs. — Six to eight, creamy-white, the surface being dull. Breeding- 
season : August to December. 
