THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
This is another bird described by Latham in 1801, but it appears to have 
attracted notice earlier than that, as a reference to the “ Whistling Duck ” 
was made when Latham described the Semipalmated Goose in 1798 as 
noted under that species. The name “ Whistling Duck ” has since 
been generally applied to Tree Ducks, so that it is necessary to bear 
this in mind when reading ancient records. 
Sturt makes the note : “ It is very common on most of the Australian 
creeks and streams, and is called the ‘Whistling Duck,’ which gave the 
clue to Latham’s expression. 
Very little is known of its habits, as might be expected on account of 
its frequency everywhere. Field Naturalists please note. I write this as it 
will be observed as little is known of the life-history of Common species of 
Ducks as of rare species. 
Captain S. A. White has written me : “ This pretty little duck is never 
seen in any numbers near the coast, but in the interior they congregate 
during good seasons and lay in numbers and bring up their young. . . . 
The ‘ pink-eared Duck ’ was very scarce on the lakes during our visit, due 
no doubt to their having followed the heavy rains into the interior to nest 
some months previous to our visit.” 
Mr. Tom Carter’s only note reads : “Not uncommon in the Mid- west : 
mostly seen on shallow clay pans.” 
Hall remarks {Emu, Vol. IX., p. 79, 1909) : “ This bird feeds in the 
same manner as the Shoveler. It shovels about in the mud, head down 
and tail up, as it floats. The preference is for brackish lagoons.” 
The most interesting note I have seen is that by Berney {Emu, Vol. VI., 
p. 157, 1907) : “ The quaint little Pink-ear is one of the more uncommon 
Ducks with us, not too often seen, and then as a rule in small numbers ; its 
irregular visits are confined to the wet season. While at a waterhole on 
one occasion a mob of five-and-twenty of these bhds (the most I think I ever 
saw together) in company with a dozen Teal, swept over my head and 
dropped on to the water 30 yards further down. They appeared little 
disturbed by my presence, so I determined, as I could touch bottom with 
my feet, to cultivate a closer acquaintance. With only my nostrils and the 
top of my head above water I approached them steadily. Allowing 
me to get right amongst them, they evinced considerable interest in 
my proceedings, with but little or no fear ; they chased one another 
about, they courted or preened their feathers, within a few feet of my 
head, now and again one standing up to flap its wings in my face. 
All the time the mob kept up a subdued running conversation in their 
soft musical notes. At times I could almost have caught some of 
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