male, on the 20th, and the female on the 21st. An immature male at Hickling, January 17th, 1867, during 
very severe weather. 
“ Some years back a Duck of this species was taken in the Haiuvorth decoy ; and one taken in a decoy at 
Hampstead, near Holt, lived fifteen years in confinement. (See ‘ Zoologist’ for 1851, p. 3116.)” 
Mr. Salvin, in his ‘ Five Months’ Birds’-nesting in the Eastern Atlas,’ informs us that “ this bird also 
breeds at Zana and Djendeli,” and that he was there “ more fortunate in obtaining its eggs than those of 
the other species of Ducks.” 
The Rev. H. B. Tristram remarks, in his ‘ Notes on the Ornithology of Northern Africa,’ that “ the 
White-eyed Duck seemed tolerably abundant on the Lake Halloula ; and one nest rewarded our research.” 
Dr. Leith Adams, in his ‘ Notes and Observations on the Birds of Egypt and Nubia,’ says the White- 
eyed seems to be the most common s{)ecies of Duck, and that he noticed it among the rapids of the Second 
Cataract. 
Mr. S. S. Allen also mentions it as being one of the Ducks which are more or less abundant in Egypt and 
Nubia, “ being found in large flocks on the sand banks in the river or scattered in smaller parties about the 
inland marshy pools and canals. But the localities beyond all others favoured by them are the large, shallow, 
brackish lakes surrounded by marshes, which extend at intervals all along the coast from Alexandria to Port 
Said, the most important being Lakes Mareotis, Etko, Bourlos, and Menzaleh, on which the town of 
Damietta stands. To the three last of these lakes particularly, immense numbers of Ducks resort, which 
suffer no perceptible diminution from the efforts of the Arabs of the neighbouring villages, many of whom 
make their living by snaring and netting them for sale.” 
Ill Palestine it would seem to be rare, since the Rev. H. B. Tristram mentions that he only met with one 
now and then. 
Mr. M^right remarks that it is perhaps the commonest Duck which visits the island of Malta, where it 
arrives in tlie autumn, winter, and spring. 
Messrs. Elwes and Buckley state that it is not uncommon in Turkey, and probably breeds there. 
Lord Lilford says that the White-eyed Duck arrives in the Ionian Islands generally in March, in small 
numbers, and breeds in Epirus and Albania, and that it is occasionally seen there in winter but is far from 
common at that season. 
In western Greece, according to Mr. Simpson, it is less numerous than some other allied species, and 
keeps to the open water more than the true Ducks. 
Captain Irby states that in Oudh and Kumaon it is “ extremely numerous in the cold season, and is very 
good for the table.” 
Dr. Jerdon says: — “This little Duck is exceedingly common in Northern and Central India, less so in 
the South. It frequents both tanks and rivers, but prefers grassy tanks, wooded jheels, and rivers. It 
appears to feed a good deal during the day, and is met with in large parties scattered amosg the grass or 
weeds, the birds often rising singly.” 
Bailly, in his ‘ Ornithology of Savoy,’ informs us that “ this charming Duck, which our sportsmen and 
dealers in game call Sarcelle, on account of the small size of its body, seldom comes to our valleys except in 
spring, March or April. Its appearance in autumn, the season of migration for the other species of the 
family, is mostly accidental. It usually arrives in couples or small companies, but sometimes singly, among 
a flight of other species. It is alert and very restless during its stay on our waters ; but one sometimes 
surprises it among thickets of rushes while occupied in searching for food, and it is easily shot as it rises. 
It is rarely met with in open places. Its flesh has an agreeable taste ; and it is often eaten as an ‘ aliment 
maigre’’ on fast-days.” 
The principal figure in the accompanying Plate is of the size of life. 
