RUDDY SHELDUCK 



PLATE CLXXXIX. FIGURE II. 



Tadorna casarca, . ..... 



Tadorna rutila, ...... YARRELL. 



Anas rutila, ....... BEWICK. 



* I A HIS species, a rare straggler to the British Islands, 

 1 builds in holes in river banks, or in hollow trees or 

 fallen logs. 



The nest is lined with feathers of the bird itself, the 

 remainder being any sort of stalks and sticks. 



The eggs are white, and nine to sixteen in number. 

 They are highly polished. 



The young are often carried to the water in the bill of 

 the mother. 



The Ruddy Shelduck breeds in the south of Europe, 

 from Spain to the Caspian. 



