COMMON SHELDRAKE. 225 



watch and ward near the nest, ever ready to drive off 

 intruding birds and beasts. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Gray-Lag Goose are from six to eight 

 in number, but clutches of twelve and even fourteen 

 have been recorded. They are creamy-white, and the 

 shell is without polish. Average measurement, 3'45 

 inches in length, by 2'35 inches in breadth. Incubation, 

 performed by the female, lasts about a month. 



Diagnostic characters: The present species is 

 the only Goose breeding within our limits, consequently 

 the eggs cannot readily be confused with those of any 

 other British bird. 



Family ANATID.E. Genus Tadorna. 



Sub-family ANATIN^. 



COMMON SHELDRAKE. 



Tadorna cornuta {S. G. Gmelin). 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, April and May. 



British breeding area : The Common Sheldrake 

 is widely if somewhat locally distributed throughout the 

 coasts of the British Islands that are suited to its re- 

 quirements. It breeds on the low sandy portions of the 

 east and west coasts of England, but is much more local 

 on the south coast. It also breeds on all the coasts of 

 Scotland, including the Hebrides ; and the same remarks 

 apply to the low sandy coasts of Ireland, where, 

 however, the bird is rarer and more local. 



Breeding habits : The Sheldrake is a resident on 

 the British coasts, but subject to considerable local move- 

 ment during the non-breeding season. Its favourite 



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