THE SHIELDRAKE, 229 
only a straggler, although in former days, when our system of drain- 
age was less perfect, it was a more frequent visitor, and considerable 
numbers of them remained and bred. It dwells in marshes, on 
lakes and large rivers, being seldom found near the sea-coast; feeding 
occasionally on vegetable substances, but chiefly on fresh-water 
molluscs, worms, and insects, for grubbing up which, and separating 
them from the sand and mud, its bill is evidently well adapted. 
The Shoveller is met with in various parts of Europe, also in 
Asia, Africa, and America. ‘The nest is constructed on the borders 
of rushy lakes, and in it the birds lay from eight to twelve eggs. 
When first hatched, the young ones are excessively ugly, their beaks 
being almost as large as their bodies. The flesh of the Shoveller is 
tender and delicate, and preserves its pink colour even after it, is 
cooked. 
Before leaving the Avating, the Wood Duck (Auas sfonsa), the 
most beautiful of this family found in America; also the American 
Widgeon, or Bald-pate (Aas americana), ought not to be forgotten. 
THE SHIELDRAKE (Anas tadorna), 
This very beautiful bird is a permanent resident in the British 
Islands, although it is only met sparingly along our coasts. It 
resorts in spring and summer to the sandy bays on the west coast 
of England and Scotland, from the Land’s End to the Shetland 
Islands. In autumn and winter it is found on the eastern coast 
both of Scotland and England, where many individuals remain 
to breed. It is generally found in the neighbourhood of sandy 
marshy land and moist meadows near the sea. It walks with 
a quickish step, and has a swift flight, something like the Mallard, 
and with a more rapid beat of the wings than the Goose. 
The Shieldrake (Fig. 87) is the most remarkable of all the 
Duck tribe, not only from its size, but from its beauty and the 
elegant variations of its plumage. It is larger and stands higher 
on its legs than the common Wild Duck. The plumage is full, soft, 
and blended ; the feathers of the head and upper neck are small and 
silky. The colours are very brilliant, being of a glossy blackish 
green on the head and neck, with purplish reflections in some lights; 
a broad band or ring of white is found on the neck, and lower 
another of orange-red encircles the fore part of the body. The rest 
of the under parts are white, with a band of glossy black on the 
breast and belly; the back white, variegated with black, white, 
russet, and green. ‘The Shieldrake abounds on the coasts of the 
