230



J. Delacour—Notes on Waterfowl



The Abyssinian Blue-winged Goose ( Cyanochen cyanopterus), intro¬

duced only a few years ago, long a tremendous rarity, is now breeding

freely here and at Walcot, while the fine Andean Goose (Chloephaga

melanoptera) has big broods every year at Cleres.


Just after the War, there were only two Sheldrakes in living col¬

lections : the Common and the Ruddy. Soon after, a few Paradise

Sheldrakes were imported from New Zealand ; they are now wide¬

spread and breed commonly. The South African Sheldrake ( C . cana),

which had never done well before and was considered very rare, has

been bred for the last eight years, and is now well established.

Curiously enough, the Australian Sheldrake (C. tadornoides), of which

there are quite a few pairs here, at Walcot, and elsewhere, has not

started nesting yet, and its first breeding has still to be achieved.

It is a beautiful species, and not nearly so bad-tempered as the other

three Casarca.


But the best acquisition was that of the Radjah Sheldrake ( Radjah

radjah). Mine came from the Aru Islands, and belong to the smaller

and darker form (R. r. radjah), while those of Messrs. Stevens are

from Melville Island, and therefore larger and browner ( R . r. rufi-

tergum). Pure Radjahs have not yet nested in captivity, but I have

bred several times hybrids from a male Radjah and a female Ruddy

Sheldrake. From a female hybrid and another Radjah drake, I have

this year three-quarter bred birds, looking much like Radjahs, but with

a broader pectoral band, interrupted in the middle, and a slightly

reddish wash on the sides.


The South American Comb Duck, once a rarity, has been lately

often imported, but has not nested yet.


This year, a good many pairs of the White-winged Wood Duck

(Asarcornis scutalata) have arrived. Those owned by Mr. Ezra for

three years have not bred yet, but they ought to do so as easily as

their close allies, the Wild Muscovies of South America. Their African

counterpart, Hartlaub’s Duck ( Pteronetta hartlaubi), would be a most

desirable acquisition. As far as I know, only one female has as yet

reached Europe alive, in 1930 about, and lived for two years in the

Paris Zoo. The curious Australian Magpie Geese ( Anseranas semipal-

mata) now numerous enough in collections, have never yet bred in

captivity.



