304 



THE SHELDRAKE. 



Anas Tadorna, Linneijs ; Le Tadorae, Buffon ; Der Bruntente, Bechstein. 



This species measures two feet from the tip of the beak to 

 the extremity of the tail ; the beak is smooth, flattish, and of 

 a scarlet colour ; a fleshy knob covers the upper base ; the 

 nostrils and nail at the end of the beak are black ; the feet are 

 bluish red ; the head and upper part of the neck are duck 

 green ; the rest of the neck and belly are white ; a wide 

 orange browTi band crosses the breast ; the back, with the 

 wing-coverts, is white ; the scapulars are speckled with 

 black ; the first quill-feathers are black, the following violet, 

 the middle ones rusty brown, and the last white ; the speculum 

 is green, reflecting a beautiful violet ; the feathers of the tail 

 are white, tipped with black. 



Observations. — This species, found in the north of Europe and Asia, 

 hollows out the sand by the sea-shore, or uses a forsaken rabbit's bole, 

 or some cavit}' in a rock, to form its nest in. The beauty of its plumage 

 has attracted the attention of amateurs, who tame it, and keep it in tho 

 poultry-yard ; but it is not useful, its flesh having an unpleasant smell and 

 flavour. It feeds with the other ducks, and becomes very familiar ; it 

 ever appears intelligent. 



THE WILD GOOSE. 



Anas anser ferus, Linn^us ; L'Oie sauvage, Buffon ; Der wilde Gans, Bechstein. 



This is the parent stock of our domestic goose, and though 

 smaller, it has a longer neck and larger wings. The upper 

 part of the body is brownish grey, the under part is greyish 

 white ; the breast is clouded with rusty bjr'wn ; the beak is 

 orange and black ; the feet are red. Sevei^x domestic geese pre- 

 serve this original plumage, even to the colours of the beak. 



Observations. — This species frequents the shores of the North Sea 

 during the summer; but in autumn departs in large flights disposed in a 

 triangular form, and passes the winter in more southern countries, feeding 

 on the blades of newly-sprung rye. 



There are places in Thuiingia where thousands of these birds collect in 

 winter; they are very distrustful, placing sentinels as soon as they alight, 

 which are so watchful, that it is very difficult to take or shoot them. If 

 by chance the wing of one of these geese is shot, it may easily be kept in 

 the yard with poultry; they are also taken in snares laid in places 

 frequented by them duiing the night; they associate without difficulty 

 with the domestic geese ; but I only know one instance of a wild male 

 pjiiring with a domesticated female. 



