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407 



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THE COMMON SHELD-DUCK. 

 Tad(')RNA CORNUIA (S. (i. Omelin). 



This handsome species is rarely seen far from salt water, and 

 some are to be found on the coast during the whole year, especially 

 on flat shores, sand-bars and links. Localities suited to its habits 

 are to be found along the east of England, and also on the west of 

 the island, although the increase of population and commerce has 

 interfered with its haunts in Cheshire and Lancashire ; while in the 

 south a limited number nest in Devon, Somerset and Dorset. On 

 the east side of Scotland it is not uncommon, especially in winter, 

 when large flocks cross the sea to escape the cold of Northern Europe ; 

 and, though somewhat local on the west and in the islands, it is 

 tolerably numerous during the summer in most of the Hebrides. 

 In Ireland it breeds sparingly among the sand-hills near the sea, 

 especially in cos. Mayo, Waterford and Wexford, becoming more 

 plentiful in winter. 



To the Faeroes the Sheld-Duck is only a rare wanderer, but it 

 breeds along the coast of Norway up to about 70° N. lat., and is 

 abundant in Sweden, Denmark, the Baltic, the North Frisian Islands 

 and Holland. It also nests on the shores of France, and, sparingly, 

 in the Spanish Peninsula; but throughout the basin of the Mediter- 

 ranean it is chiefly-a winter-visitor, and in the southern and eastern 



