COMMON SHELDRAKE. 1 59 



as the Mute Swan; it varies very niuch in weight, but an average bird 

 would weigh not less than eighteen or twenty pounds. Its food^ 

 says Meyer, consists of green vegetable matter, grain and fruit, 

 insects and their larvae, frogs, worms, and the fry of small fishes. 

 It seeks its food by preference in shallow water, turning up the 

 ground to obtain roots and worms. 



Herefordshire is out of the usual flight of Whooper Swans, but 

 occasionally a straggling visitor comes to us. 



Mr. Lingwood, in his Notes, says of this bird : " Shot on the 

 Wye, near Ross, by Mr. Arthur Armitage, in 1854." This bird was 

 sent to the late Dr. Jebb's gardener, at Peterstow, to be stuffed. 



The Whooper Swan has also been noticed on the river Teme. 



[Cygnus Americanus — American Swan.] 

 Once seen in Scotland. 



[Cygnus buccinator — Trumpeter Swan.] 

 Very doubtful. 



[Cygnus bewicki — Bewick's Swan.] 

 Of frequent occurrence in severe winters. 



Genus— TADORNA. 

 TADORNA CORNUTA— Common Sheldrake. 



The sleeping Shell-ducks at the sound arise, 

 And utter loud their inharmonious cries ; 

 "Fluttering, they move their weedy beds among, 

 Or, instant diving, hide their plumeless young. 



Ck ABBE — A in u&ements. 



This very beautiful Duck is common on most of our coasts, 



and is resident throughout the year. It is very well known, since it is 



always to be seen on the ornamental pieces of water in Zoological 



gardens, and other public places. It frequents flat shores, sandy 



