22 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



when rapidly repeated has a laughing ring. I have heard the 

 drake utter a laughing croak, and a deep angry iiwrk^ as well 

 as the whistle when alarmed for the welfare of the young. 

 The drake may be distinguished by his superior size and the 

 large knob on the bill. The bird swims lightly, sitting high on 

 the water ; it seldom dives unless wounded or when threatened 

 by an enemy. 



Though exceptionally the nest is in a crevice in rocks or in 

 dense undergrowth the normal site is in a burrow, generally 

 that of a rabbit, whence its name, "Burrow-Duck" and the 

 corruption, " Bar -duck." A small collection of grass, moss, and 

 often bracken, with a plentiful lining of pearl-grey down, is 

 placed in a hollow at a variable distance, two to twelve feet, 

 from the entrance. Occupied burrows may be told by the foot- 

 prints left by the birds. Mr. W. H. Hudson says " the strange 

 and beautiful Sheldrake" leads his mate to the burrow and 

 courteously but firmly persuades her to enter. There is an 

 element of romance in his account of the April gatherings, 

 but these communal meetings on the dunes are continued 

 until June or July. In early spring the birds collect for pair- 

 ing display ; the drakes stretch up their necks and dip them 

 suddenly, and walk round the ducks, their necks depressed and 

 bent, their shoulders hunched up. When rivals meet there is 

 a short tussle, the combatants springing clear from the ground, 

 but one soon gives in and is chased away on foot or wing by 

 the victor. Later, according to Mr. Hudson, the drake drives 

 or leads his mate to the nest after her daily meal, but these 

 parliaments meet long after incubation has begun, the members 

 resting, preening themselves and chattering softly on the 

 grassy levels amongst the dunes. I have counted thirty-five 

 birds at the meetings ; Mr. F. W. Holder has seen more 

 than seventy. 



The eggs, usually laid early in May, are creamy white, and 

 measure about 2-6 by i'9 inches. The usual clutch is seven to 



