WHISTLING DUCK. 
cluster on the shady side of any thick bushes to sleep through the day, 
only moving when disturbed or to escape the sun. When the Calvert 
Exploring Expedition was approaching the Eitzroy River in North-western 
Australia, we disturbed thousands of these birds from the plains, and 
whilst camped near the river had no difficulty in shooting as many as 
were wanted. On approaching any water, a brown patch on the shady 
side of a tree or bush invariably proved to be a number of these birds 
sleeping. They generally permitted us to approach within thirty or forty 
yards before they moved, and then they stood up and gathered as close as 
possible together, with bodies and heads erect, so that by taking a [shot 
amongst their necks one cartridge always secured enough to feed our party. 
Thejr are long narrow birds, as long from bill to feet as a Black Duck, 
but as narrow as a Teal. Being grass feeders their flesh is excellent. They 
breed in great numbers amongst the spinifex or coarse grass.” 
Mr. George Barnard {id,, ib.) added : “ Coming home with cattle on the 
25th May, 1890, my sons flushed a Duck of some sort off a nest in the grass 
too hurriedly to see what it was : they left it till next day, when one of 
them rode out to identify the species ; it proved to be a ‘ Whistler ’ 
{Dendrocygna vagans). The nest was made in the grass, and without any 
lining of feathers or down, and contained fifteen eggs in an early stage 
of incubation, several of which he took. This Duck is very common in the 
neighbourhood, and is found frequenting the large swamps, but this is the 
first time we have obtained the nest. Two eggs from the above nest are 
elliptical in form, tapering somewhat sharply to each end, which are 
pointed and of equal size. They are of a pale creamy-white, and in the 
specimens forwarded have light reddish-purple markings on one end, 
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell : these markings are 
abnormal, one specimen having only a few spots on one side. Length 
(A) 2.09 X 1.43 inches; (B) 2.13 X 1.42 inches.” Mr. Barnard explained: 
“ Nearly all the Whistling Ducks’ eggs taken had markings on one end, 
but most of those left in the nest were without them. I do not think 
the markings are typical, but only the effect of the season, as I have 
noticed the markings on butterflies and moths were darker and richer this 
past season than in ordinary ones.” 
Barnard handed the same note to Campbell and it appears in his 
Nests and Eggs (p. 1026), and Campbell’s description of the eggs is also 
drawn up from Barnard’s specimens. The rarity of nests of this bird can 
be gauged from the fact that both Campbell and North make the basis of 
their accounts the same clutch of eggs. 
VOL. IV. 
65 
