340 
FLAMINGOES, DUCKS, AND SCREAMERS. 
being reticulate, in which respect they resemble the geese. The lores are feathered; 
the legs rather long, with the lower portion of the tibia bare; the wings are short 
and rounded; and the abbreviated tail is almost concealed by the coverts. The 
sexes are nearly alike; and although in some species there is a bright patch or 
speculum on the wing, in coloration these birds approach the Egyptian goose and 
ruddy sheldrake, to both of which they may be allied. In their voice, as well as in 
the plumage undergoing but one moult, and likewise in the vegetable nature of 
their food, these birds again approach the geese, and differ from the ducks. Tree- 
ducks are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world; 
and it is highly remarkable that one species (D. viducita) is common to South 
America and West Africa. The general colour of the plumage of these birds is 
some shade of brown or chestnut, with the back, wings, and tail variously marked 
with darker brown and slaty; but in one of the American species the abdomen is 
black, while in a second the under-parts are dirty white. The Indian D. javanica 
measures about 20 inches in length. The latter species frequents well-wooded, well- 
watered, and well-drained districts throughout India; being found during the 
breeding-season in pairs, but in the cold weather and spring associating in flocks, 
which, according to Mr. Hume, may number from twenty to two thousand head. 
Migratory in their habits, these birds, writes the last-named observer, are very 
tame and familiar, “ frequenting village ponds, and living on the trees surrounding 
such, even on trees growing inside the enclosures of cottages. They are rather dull 
birds, slow on the wing and easily shot, and they have a habit of circling round 
and round the gunner when one of their number has been shot, that often proves 
fatal to the greater portion of the flock, when it unfortunately falls under the tender 
mercies of butchers. When absolutely required for food, a pair or so may be shot, 
but they are indifferent eating, and fly so poorly that they really afford no sport.” 
Their deficiency in the matter of flight, is, however, counterbalanced by their ex¬ 
pertness in swimming and diving, a wounded bird being most difficult to capture. 
When not on the wing, these birds are most commonly seen either feeding on the 
water, or resting on trees. Chiefly vegetarians, they subsist largely on rice, as well 
as various water-plants, but also consume insects and molluscs. They derive their 
name of whistling teal from their double hissing whistle-like note, which is always 
uttered when the birds are alarmed or about to fly, and is often repeated during 
flight, although but seldom heard when they are feeding or at rest. The nest may 
be situated either in a hollow tree or between the fork of a large branch, or on the 
ground, and if built by the birds themselves is unlined; a deserted crow’s nest is, 
however, often taken advantage of. The number of eggs is usually from ten to 
twelve. Curiously enough, when the nest is in a tree, the young are carried down 
by the parent birds to the water. Mr. Hume has observed the ducklings carried 
in the claws of their parents, but it has been stated that they are sometimes 
borne on their backs. 
The handsome birds known as sheldrakes ( Tadornci ), which are 
near relations of the tree ducks, may be regarded as the first repre¬ 
sentatives of the subfamily Anatince, in which are included all the more typical 
ducks. The members of this group are relatively short-necked birds of smaller 
size than the true geese, from which they differ in having the front of the 
The Sheldrakes. 
