BRITISH BIRDS. 1 13 



The food is the same as in the case of the last species, 

 but they seem more partial to grain and vegetable matters, 

 frequenting stubble fields at a distance from water. 



They are shy birds, and keep in pairs, which seem much 

 attached to each other ; but when the breeding season is 

 over, they assemble in small flocks. They breed in holes 

 in banks of natural occurrence, or formed by rabbits or 

 other animals. The eggs, eight or ten in number, are 

 white, but soon become soiled. 



In confinement, these birds will breed more freely than 

 the common sheldrake, providing they have a suitable 

 burrow to nest in. 



They occur upon, and near to, inland waters rather than 

 in the neighbourhood of the sea ; and if it be desired to 

 keep them for ornament, the eggs should be hatched as 

 advised for the allied species, as adult birds, when captured, 

 rarely become tame. 



The cry or call is shrill, and is described by Yarrell as 

 not unlike the tone of a clarionet wlien the bird is on the 

 wing; but, at other times, it calls like a peacock, and 

 occasionally " clucks " like a domestic hen. 



Gadwall. — This bird has somewliat the appearance of 

 the famous American canvas-backed duck. It is rather a 

 difficult bird to describe, but the general effect is grey, with 

 a ruddy sub-tinge on the head and neck, which parts are 

 plentifully dotted with small round black spots ; the 

 breast feathers are black, with distinct bluish grey edges ; 

 the back, sides, and part of the belly are bluish grey, in- 

 distinctly margined with black ; the lesser wing coverts 

 are bright chestnut; the greater, dark green, with a 

 metallic lustre ; the outer webs of the first secondaries are 

 white, and the remaining wing feathers, as well as the tail, 

 ashen grey ; the under tail coverts, dark bluish black ; the 

 breast, pale bluish grey ; the bill is black, w'ith a greenish 



