MOUNTAIN DUCK. 
being obtainable in July and early in August. This species is usually seen in 
pairs, but I once counted forty in a flock on a swamp on the Murndal 
Estate. It is very wary, leaving a swamp or lagoon when the first shot 
is fired, and not returning again ; most other Ducks will circle round and 
round and alight more than once before becoming thoroughly alarmed.” 
Mr. G. A. Keartland wrote {ibid.) : “The Sheldrake {Casarca tadornoides) 
is found all over the Australian continent. I have shot these birds in 
Southern Victoria and in North-western Australia, but the western district of 
Victoria and the swamps in the vicinity of the Murray River appear to be 
their favourite haunts. Except when the young ones are with their parents 
they are usually found in pairs. They breed in hollow branches, preference 
being given to trees overhanging water. When the brood is hatched the 
old bird swims under the nest and calls the little ones, which jump down 
into the water, flapping their little wings and working their feet as they drop. 
As soon as they are all down the old bird swims away to a nice landing- 
place. Their flesh is somewhat coarse, although they are grass feeders.” 
The male bird figured and described was collected at Newstead, near 
Castlemain in Victoria, in December, 1862. 
