SHELD DRAKE. 121 



tlie beak in C immutahilisy is of an almost vermillion 

 red in adult birds, and, from tbe predominance seem- 

 ingly of red over orange, appears more vivid in colour 

 than in the oldest mute swan I have seen alive. 



The following table gives the chief measurements of 

 the few specimens of Gygnus immutahilis of which I can 

 find any such particulars, either in published records 

 or private memoranda : — 



TADORNA VULPANSER (Linnaeus.) 

 SHELD DRAKE.* 



It is no little satisfaction to be still able to claim 

 this handsome species as a resident as well as a winter 

 visitant, though few in numbers and confined to a very 

 limited area in comparison with former times. From 

 local records it woidd seem that even so late as the 

 commencement of the present century " Barganders," 

 or burrow-ducks as they are called in some parts of 



* In a small work, published by John Kay, in 1674, entitled " A 

 collection of English words not generally used," &c., to which I 

 E 



