RUDDY SHELDUCK. 77 



their way thither themselves. They hide away at the 

 approach of danger; the old birds, conscious no doubt 

 that they are able thus best to find security, then 

 flying off. 



RUDDY SHELDUCK. 



PLATE CLXXXIX. FIGURE II. 



Anas rutila, BEWICK. 



Tadorna rutila, SELBY. 



T1HIS species builds in holes in river banks, those 

 which have been burrowed and deserted by animals, 

 or such as are of natural formation. 



The nest is lined with feathers of the bird itself, 

 the remainder being any sort of stalks and sticks. 



The eggs are white, and eight or nine or ten in 

 number. They are highly polished. 



The young are often carried to the water in the 

 bill of the mother. 



For the loan of the egg figured on the plate, I 

 have to thank the Rev. H. B. Tristram, Perpetual 

 Curate of Castle Eden. It was received by him from 

 Dr. Thieneman, who had procured it, with others, 

 from the Volga and the Caspian Sea. 



