BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 151 



compared with the extremely great differences that we 

 have noticed in the case of various other Ducks. The 

 colours are duller in the duck, and the basal knob is 

 absent from her bill. She is also perceptibly smaller, 

 even when seen from some distance. The chestnut pectoral 

 band is the most characteristic portion of the plumage, 

 but the immature bird lacks this. On the wing at some 

 distance the Sheldrake may appear to be white practically 

 all over. The word ' sheld,' by the way, means parti- 

 coloured. ' Burrow-Duck ' and ' Stock-Annet ' are popular 

 names of the species. 



Another particular in which this species differs from the 

 Ducks and resembles the Geese is that the drake does not 

 go into eclipse, but remains loyally by his mate. Although 

 he does not take a very active part in the nesting duties, 

 he appears to have rather a curious share. His quaint 

 habits have been well described by the well - known 

 naturalist Mr W. H. Hudson, who has drawn attention 

 to some points that appear to have been overlooked by 

 other observers. A number of pairs may be resting 

 together in the open at the laying season, when from 

 time to time a drake in some way decides that it is time 

 an egg was laid. This, at least, is Mr Hudson's inter- 

 pretation of the facts. The drake in question stands in 

 front of his mate and goes through a curious performance, 

 rocking and swaying his head from side to side. After 

 a while she rises and briefly answers in similar dumb 

 show, and then follows her lord towards the burrow. 

 From time to time she stops on the way, and has to 

 be exhorted with further rockings and swayings. At 

 the mouth of the burrow she makes a last and most 

 obstinate stand. But his patience and his fimd of silent 

 eloquence are bound to be successful, and 'in the end he 

 prevails, and bowing her pretty head she creeps quietly 



