ML624124312

Beobachtungsdetails

"On 7th December after shooting some duck at one end of a long pond near here, (the one mentioned by Capt. Macnab, I. M. S., in his account of a previous occurrence of Erismatura leucocephala in the Society's Journal for April 1900), I saw a single bird swimming and diving in the open part of the pond. Waiting until it dived I ran up close to the edge. The bird came up within 20 yards of me only showing its head and neck, diving again immediately. I saw that it was a stiff-tailed duck at once. The manner of diving was most peculiar, very like the way a porpoise rolls over in the water, or a head and tail rise of a salmon. The bird tucked its head in and turned over showing the whole line of its back tail and legs in succession as it went down. The tail was bent downwards with the legs showing below and the tail, legs, and feet were the last part of the bird seen, showing very clearly as it disappeared. It came up several times only showing its head and neck, the body and tail remaining under water. I remained quite still and as it got a little further away it showed more of its body on coming to the surface, and also its tail which was carried at an angle of about 45 degrees to the surface of the water. After watching it for some time I shot the duck. The skin is forwarded for acceptance for the Bird Collection of the Society". F. J. H. BARTON, MAJOR, Q. O. Corps of Guides. MARDAN, 10th December 1901. P. S.-The bird on dissection proved to be a male. Its length from point of bill to tail was 15⁵/⁸ inches, from point of bill to end of the legs 16¹/² inches, both measures between uprights. Colour of bill dull olive green, feet and claws lighter bluish green, webs black. Iridis brown.