76 SHELDUCK. 



SHELDUCK. 



SHIELDRAKE. COMMON SHIELDRAKE. BURROW DUCK. 

 SKELGOOSE. SKEELING GOOSE. 



PLATE CLXXXIX. FIGURE I. 



Tadorna Vulpanser, FLEMING. 



Tadorna Bellonii, STEPHENS. 



Anas Tadorna, LINN^US. 



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 



