WATER BIRDS. 217 
flew up and felled him to the ground, Recovering his 
feet, he attempted to defend himself with his rake, was 
again knocked down, and, judging discretion the better 
part of valour, he beat a hasty retreat, leaving the parent 
bird in triumphant possession of her eggs. 
The number of cygnets reared by each pair is gene- 
rally from two to four; J have known six on two occa- 
sions, and once seven, but the latter number is very un- 
usual. 
Of the numerous family of the Anatidz which I have 
seen in Sherwood Forest, few are constant residents with 
us; some, indeed, are very regular in their visits, 
while others I have to mention occur only occasionally. 
Amongst the latter is the Shieldrake (Tadorna Bel- 
lonnir), which, though a maritime species, I have seen 
twice on Thoresby Lake. It is a handsome bird, and 
the distinct colours of its plumage make it a very strik- 
ing object on the water. I have known of its occurrence 
also on the river Idle, at Retford, and I have heard that 
they have bred there. 
The Shoveller (Anas elypeata) is another of our rare 
visitors. On the 24th of October, 1854, 1 saw a male 
of this species on the lake at Thoresby, apparently alone, 
and watched it for some time. It appeared rather rest- 
less, though occasionally feeding for a few minutes, and 
then resuming its watchful attitude; but it soon took 
its departure, and I did not see it again. <A pair, male 
and female, was seen on the 23rd of April, 1857, on 
the decoy at Houghton, and the male, I regret to say, 
was shot by the keeper there; or, from the time of the 
year, they might very likely have remained and bred in 
that very secluded place. 
The Wild Duck (A. boschas), I need hardly say, is a 
