VOL. VI.] NOTES. 157 



ABNORMAL BREEDING-HABITS OF THE 



SHELD-DUCK. 



The Sheld-Ducks {Tadorna tadorna) which frequent the shore 

 of the Bristol Channel for some miles north and south of 

 the mouth of the river Avon appear to have rather peculiar 

 breeding-habits. They usually lay their eggs in hollow 

 pollards in the adjoining marshes, often several miles inland. 

 On most parts of the coast, however, the usual nesting-site is? 



EXPOSED NEST OF SHKLD-DUCK. 

 (Pliotographed by D. Munro Smith.) 



I believe, an old rabbit-burrow. The marshes consist of 

 flat fields, intersected by brackish ditches. Most of the 

 rabbit-burrows are in the sides of these ditches, hidden and 

 roofed over by tall, double hedges, Avhich may account for 

 the choice of the more obvious pollards as nesting-sites. This 

 June I foimd a Sheld-Duck's nest in rather an exceptional 

 place. It was on the ground, quite exposed, in an osier-bed, 

 and is shown in my photograph. Whether the old bird 

 was merely feigning lameness or really experienced difficulty 

 in rising amidst the surrounding undergrowth, I do not 

 know, but I caught her easily, as she was shuffling off the 



