56 



SHIELDRAKE. 



COMMON SHIELDRAKE. BURROW DUCK. 



SKELGOOSE. SKEELING GOOSE. 



PLATE CI,XXXIX. FIG. I. 



Tadorna Vulpanser, . . . Fleming. 

 Tadorna Bellonii, .... Stephens. 

 Anas Tadorna, .... Linn^us. 



The Shieldrake builds in rabbit-holes and other 

 hollows in the earth, often as much as ten or twelve 

 feet from the entrance. Some down, plucked from 

 their own breasts, is the lining with which the nest is 

 fitted, the remainder being dry grass. 



The eggs are ten or twelve, or even more, it is 

 said, thirteen or fourteen in number; but these, in such 

 cases, may possibly have been the produce of two birds. 

 They are nearly perfectly white, having only a very 

 faint tinge of green, and are smooth and shining. 



The hen bird sits, as is believed, from about twenty- 

 six to thirty days, her mate keeping watch hard by, 

 and taking her place in the morning and the evening 

 while she picks up some food. 



The young, when hatched, are either carried by 

 their parents in their bills to the water, or soon make 

 their way thither themselves. They hide away at the 

 approach of danger; the old birds, conscious no doubt 

 that they are able thus best to find security, flying 

 off themselves. 



