1090 
SPATULA CLYPEATA. 
Town, but where, according to Layard, it is rarely seen. North of Damara Land it will probably be found to 
occur at various points of the coast. At present we know that it has been noticed as far south as Senegambia. 
Finally, before quitting the Old World, it is interesting to remark that it has occurred as a straggler in 
Australia (having wandered thither most likely from China), as Gould records its occurrence in New South 
Wales in his ‘ Handbook of Australian Birds.’ In another direction it has been found, according to Hartlaub, 
in the Sandwich Islands. In America it has occurred on the west coast as far north as Alaska, and in the east 
inhabits parts of the United States in the breeding-season, and is found in Texas and Florida, and likewise in 
Mexico and Guatemala, in which latter region Mr. Salvin procured it and found it common in winter. In 
rare in Andalucia. It is a straggler to France, Belgium, and Northern Germany, as also to Great Britain, where it has 
chiefly occurred along the south coast and in the eastern counties. It has been obtained in Scotland, which is about its 
most northern limit, and it is . doubtfully recorded from Sweden (Gothenburg). It is said to have bred in Denmark. 
Lastly, in Northern Africa it has been met with in Morocco, in Algeria, and in Egypt, in the second of which countries it 
appears to be common, and where Mr. Salvin found it breeding at Zana. 
Habits. — This handsome Pochard, though belonging to the family of diving Ducks, which are mainly characterized by 
their webbed or lobed hind toes, is said by those who have observed its habits not to dive for its food, but to feed, like 
ordinary Ducks, in shallow water, with its neck stretched down and body turned up. When occasion oilers, however, it 
can dive excellently ; and Dr. Scully, who observed it in Kashgharia, speaks of a habit which is peculiar to diving-birds 
that swim with speed beneath the surface, remarking that it emerges from the water with a sharp spring, and further that 
it “ carries its head well bent back over its shoulders, and is not easily approached.” It frequents fresh water in preference 
to salt, and does not associate in large flocks. In India it is found in large tanks and jheels, and is very difficult to 
shoot, getting up, writes Captain Butler, at the least sign of danger, and flying up and down invariably out of gun-shot. 
Naumann describes its call-note as being very harsh, like the croak of a Crow, and says that it is only uttered when the 
bird is put up. The food of this species consists of vegetable matter — water-plants, grain, &c., and its flesh is conse- 
quently excellent; it, however, feeds on frogs’ spawn and small shell-fish as well. 
Nidification. — This species breeds in May and June; several localities have been mentioned in my account of distri- 
bution, the nearest to India being the vicinity of Kashgharia and Turkestan. The nest is placed among rushes and flags, 
and is made of reeds, grass, rushes, and leaves, resembling, according to Canon Tristram, that of a Coot, being, however, 
lined in the usual manner with down and feathers. The eggs vary from seven to nine, and before being blown are 
“ fresh green ; ” but this tint fades after the preparation of the specimen, and they become greenish grey. Three eggs 
average in size 2 : U (0-27) by If A (06) inch (Dresser). 
Note. — Fttligula i-ekina. Another Duck of this group likely to occur in Ceylon is the Common or Bed-headed 
Pochard (Anas ferina, Linn. S. N. i. p. 203). It is found in the cold weather in many parts of India, being common in the 
north-west portions of the empire and in portions of Bengal ; it may therefore occasionally migrate as far south as Ceylon. 
I have been informed that Mr. Varian, of the Public Works Department, has shot a Duck on Topoor tank, which he 
styled the “ Canvas-back,” and which may have been this species. A male in my possession measured in the flesh 
length 18-5 inches ; wing 8-0, expanse 31-0 ; tail 3-0 ; tarsus 1-5 ; middle toe 2'6 ; bill to gape (straight) 2-2. Iris 
golden yellow ; bill blackish leaden ; legs and feet dark plumbeous. Entire head and upper neck rufous chestnut-brown ; 
neck before and behind and upper chest black ; upper back, scapulars, and under surface white, finely vermiculated or 
cross-rayed with dark grey, less oil the breast than elsewhere ; upper and under tail-coverts black ; wings slaty grey, 
mottled on the coverts and near the tips of the secondaries with white ; tail dark grey. It is found throughout Europe 
and Northern Africa, as also the warmer parts of Asia, breeding in the north of the latter continent, but not extending 
eastwards in Siberia of Lake Baikal, although, from native drawings of it, it appears to have occurred in Japan. It is 
distributed throughout China in the winter. In India it is found, according to Jerdon, in small parties in tanks and 
jheels, and, as its flesh is excellent eating, it is much sought after. It is not particularly shy, and has been noticed to 
swim out of the way of danger rather than to take wing. It is very like the Canvas-back Duck of America, differing 
from that species in its smaller size. 
