TADORNA TADORNA 135 



As to the occurrence of the Sheldrake in the Calcutta bazaar, 

 I have seen or got it several times since I came out here in 1894, and 

 only to-Jay two deid immature birds were lirought me. 1 have seen 

 at least one more this winter from up country." 



Hopvvood obtained it iu Auacan, and recently Kashmir has been 

 added to its habitat, a pair having been twice met with in that 

 locality. 



Nidification. — It does not breed with us, but does not go far for the 

 purpose. It breeds extensively in Turkestan, and thence through 

 Russia to our own British coasts, where it is common enough. It 

 has been found breeding as far north as Iceland and Greenland, 

 though not extensively iu either country. As a rule, it selects as a 

 site for its nest some deserted burrow — it matters little to what it 

 belongs, or did belong^and places its nest at the bottom. It has 

 been said to live iu amity with rabbits, and even badgers, and to 

 have taken to burrows ex-tenanted by foxes, the smell alone of which 

 would have made most ducks require sal volatile in the nest. 



Where there are no burrows available, it will place its nest at the 

 bottom of some natural hole or crevice in the shore or amongst the 

 rocks. 



They make a good substantial foundation for their nest of grass^ 

 reeds, sticks, or any other similar material, and then make a luxurious 

 bed out of their own down, in which their eggs are deposited. In 

 Holland, this down and the eggs form articles of no little commercial 

 value, and special arrangements are made to accommodate the bii'ds 

 and induce them to give their patronage to certain spots. The 

 Sheldrake is fortunately fond of company when undergoing the worries 

 of a family, or the preparations for it. The Dutch therefore select a 

 suitable spot, for choice the natural breeding-place of the duck, and 

 construct neat burrows, slanting at the right angle and wide and 

 deep enough to please the bird, yet not deep enough to baulk their 

 own desires. Left to itself, the bird would as soon build in a fourteen- 

 foot as in a four-foot burrow, but it would be impossible to tackle many 

 of the former, and yet make money out of the collecting of the eggs 

 and down, so the artificial burrows are made of the latter depth. 

 As soon as the eggs are laid the nests are rifled, and the down and 

 eggs takiu away, whereupon the ducks once more re-line their nests, 



