224 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



times nearer to Cairo in May, always in flocks of about 

 twenty.* 



187. Shelduck, Tadorna vulpanser, Fleming. 

 (35, Anas damiatica, Hasselquist) ; " Chahraman." 



My father considers, from the Latin description, that this 

 is the Damiatic Duck of Hasselquist, and I accordingly 

 quote it in deference to his opinion. 



On the 3rd of June I saw two of these handsome fellows 

 swimming on lake Faioum, at a short distance from where 

 we were encamped. I could plainly see that they were 

 male and female. I let fly at the drake, but he was too far 

 for me, and I did not get him, and we never saw them again. 

 The only other example I saw belonged to Mr. Cory, and 

 was obtained by him in Cairo market. 



Most naturalists are aware that the young of this species 

 has a white face, but it is perhaps not so generally known 

 that this mark of immaturity sometimes lasts to the spring, 

 for I have seen a specimen with it on the 27th of March ; 

 and I have known an instance in captivity of its breeding 

 with a white face. 



188. Shoveller Duck, Spatula dypcata (Linn.) ; 

 " Hick." 



Certainly a very common Duck. I shot four on the 

 27th of April ; tw^o were drakes, and they were not in 

 full plumage, but I considered that they were going off", and 

 not that they had not yet assumed it. Its edible qualities 



" Nine supposed occurrences of the Ruddy Shelduck in Great Britain 

 are quoted in Hai'ting's " Hand List," four of which I beheve would not 

 stand a proper sifting, viz., those said to have been killed at Caithness, 

 Orford, Blackstakes, and Epworth. 



