SHIELDRAKE. 



COMMON SHIELDCAKE. BURKOW DUCK. SKELGOOSE. SKEELING GOOSE. 

 PLATE CLXXXIX. FIG. I. 



Tadorna VuJpanser, FLEMING. 



Tailor na Bellonii, STEPHENS. 



Anas Tadorna, 



THE Shieldrake builds in rabbit-burrows and other hollows in the 

 earth, often as much as ten or twelve feet from the entrance, also in 

 holes in rocks. Some down, plucked from their own breasts, is the 

 lining with which the nest is fitted, the remainder being dry grass. 



The eggs are ten or twelve, or even more, it is said, thirteen or 

 fourteen or even sixteen in number; but these, in such cases, may 

 possibly have been the produce of two birds. They are nearly 

 perfectly white, having only a very faint tinge of green, and are 

 smooth and shining. They are equally rounded at both ends. 



The hen bird sits, as is believed, from about twenty-six to thirty 

 days, her mate keeping watch hard by, and taking her place in the 

 morning and evening while she picks up some food. 



The young, when hatched, are either carried by their parents in 

 their bills to the water, or soon make their way thither themselves. 

 They hide themselves away at the approach of danger; the old birds, 

 conscious no doubt that they are able thus best to find security, 

 Hying off themselves. 



