The Ducks. 



139 



THE 



SHELDDUCK. 



[Tadurna tadorna.) 



The Sheld-Ducks are easily recognised by their pecuHar style 

 of coloration, and by the fact that the sexes are alike. The shape 

 of the bill is quite characteristic, and the birds hold an inter- 

 mediate position between the Geese and the True Ducks. 

 The Common Sheld-Duck is a very handsome bird, and is easily told by its 

 varied plumage, including its bright chestnut breast and chestnut inner secondaries, 

 while the wing-speculum is metallic green. The bill is bright carmine, as is also 

 the knob or shield at its base; this knob is not observed in the female, which is 

 slightly duller in colour than the male. The Sheld-Duck nests in many parts of 

 Great Britain, wherever suitable localities are found, and it is also found breeding 

 in many Irish counties. It is also found in Northern and Western Europe, and 

 again in South-eastern Europe, 

 whence it e.xtends to Central Asia 

 and Mongolia. The nest is generally 

 placed in the sand-dunes, into which 

 the bird tunnels for a considerable 

 depth, sometimes as far as twelve 

 feet. It is found in a chamber at 

 the end of the tunnel and is formed 

 of the bird's white down. The 

 eggs are from seven to twelve in 

 number, and are dull creamy-white, 

 with scarcely any gloss ; they are 

 about two-and-a-half inches in length. 

 This bird dif- 

 fers from the 

 Common Sheld- 

 Duck in being of 

 a nearly uniform tawny-chestnut 

 colour, with a bronze-green speculum 

 on the wing, and a black collar round the neck. This collar is wanting in the female, 

 which is smaller and somewhat duller in colour than the male. The Ruddy Sheld-Duck 

 is an occasional visitor to Great Britain, but sometimes arrives in large numbers, as in 

 the summer of i8g2. It is found in Europe in the Mediterranean countries, whence it 

 extends eastwards to Central Asia and Mongolia. It breeds in holes in clitfs, often at a 

 great height. It also nests on the ground, or in a burrow, and sometimes in the old 

 nest of a Bird of Prey. The eggs are from nine to sixteen in number, creamy white, 

 with very little gloss ; they measure about two-and-three-quarter inches in length. 



The shape of the bill, which is flattened and widened out at 



THE SHOVELLER. , , , , • t^ , r ,, , ,, • • , 



,„ , , , the end. easily distiniruishes this Duck from all other British 



{Sfiatula clypeata.) . , , . 



species. The male is a handsomely coloured bird, with a green 



THE RUDDY 

 SHELD-DUCK. 

 {Cnstirca casarcci.) 



ri-6if 



The Sheld-Duck. 



The Ruddy Sheld-Duck. 



