90 ANATIDAi 
resorts to fresh waters, collecting into large flocks in winter 
in those countries where it is common. 
Flight.—The flight resembles that of the last species. 
Food.—In its habits of feeding it resembles the Goose 
even more than the preceding species. It may be observed 
in our city parks and Zoological Gardens ‘grazing’ on 
the lawns and grass edgings which skirt the ornamental 
waters. It is a favourite and showy water-fowl, readily 
tamed, and hybrids between this species and the Egyptian 
Goose have frequently been raised. 
Voice.—The note is loud, and resembles a repeated bark ; 
it may be syllabled kape-kape-kape. I have heard this bird 
also utter a rather melancholy a-ong, a-ong. 
Nest.—Like its congener, the Ruddy Sheld-Duck breeds 
in burrows, also in the dark crevices of high rocks, and in 
the hollow trunks of trees. The nest is built of dry grass 
and other vegetable matter and thickly lined with down. 
The eggs are creamy-white in colour. The clutch ranges 
from nine to sixteen. 
Geographical distribution.—The breeding-range of the 
Ruddy Sheld-Duck extends over South-Eastern Europe and 
Asia, and as far east as China and Japan. It breeds also in 
North Africa. In winter, its migrations extend to India, 
and as a wanderer it has been observed in many of the 
northern countries of Europe, including Iceland. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Head and throat, pale 
buff; neck, back, scapulars, breast and abdomen, ruddy- 
brown ; black ring round the neck; wing-coverts, very light 
buff, the alar speculum being of a lustrous bronze-green 
colour ; primaries, dark greyish-brown ; tail and rump, 
ereyish-black. 
Adult female nuptial.—The black ring is absent, while 
the front of the head is lighter in colour than in the male. 
Adult winter, male and female.—The black neck-ring is 
absent. 
Immature, male and female.—Resembles the female, but 
-18 duller in shade. 
Beak. Lead colour. 
Feet. Blackish. 
Irtpes. Yellowish-brown. 
a 
