BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 
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PLATE XXXIII 
BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 
1. White-eyed Duck Nyroca australis Eyton 
Ny-roc-a —N.L., from Russian nyrok, a kind of duck: australis —southern 
(Australian). 
Distribution. —Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in New 
Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 
Notes. —Also called Hardhead, White-winged Duck, Barwing, Brown- 
head, and Karakahia. Usually in pairs or flocks, showing a preference for 
the deep still reaches and pools of swamps, streams, or shallow water. 
It is exceedingly shy and wary, as well as being perhaps the fastest flier 
of our Ducks. Most of its food is procured by diving; it remains under 
water some considerable time, raking the mud in search of shell-fish or 
other food. 
Nest. —A slight depression in the ground, lined with grass mixed 
with down and feathers; often in lignum or cane-grass, well concealed, 
and composed of grass with very little down; and sometimes in a hole 
or hollow spout of a tree. 
Eggs. —Eleven to as many as twenty-five, light creamy-white (unless 
nest-stained), the surface being glossy and greasy. Breeding-season: 
Sepember or October to December. 
2. Grey Teal Querquedula gibberifrons Muller 
Quer-qued'-u-la —N.L., querquedula , duck: gib'-ber-i-frons —L., gibberus, 
humped; L., frons, forehead. 
Distribution. —Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in the 
Celebes, Java to New Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 
Notes. —Also called Wood Teal and Slender Teal. Usually in flocks, 
frequenting streams, swamps, and lagoons, either inland or near the coast. 
It usually congregates in large numbers and is tolerably fearless, unless 
disturbed by too much shooting. The call-note is a peculiar little “Cack- 
cack-cack,” repeated in quick succession. Food: aquatic animals and 
plants. 
Nest. —Composed of grass, and always well lined with down; placed 
in a hollow limb, a hole in a tree, or in lignum or grass. 
