52 BIRD OALLKRY. 



No. 139. COMMON SHELD-DUCK. (Tadorna conmta.) 



The u Burrow-Duck," as it is sometimes called, is not uncommon on 

 suitable parts of the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. Low sand- 

 hills, sand-bars, and mud-flats are its favourite haunts, where small 

 mollusca, Crustacea, marine insects, and other kinds of food are 

 plentiful. The plumage of the sexes is very similar, but the colours of 

 the female are less bright and well denned than those of the male. The 

 nest (made of bents, with a thick lining of down from the breast of the 

 female) is generally placed inside a rabbit-burrow some feet from the 

 entrance. In the present instance it was situated at the unusual depth 

 of 15 feet and 7 feet below the surface [see Diagram]. From seven 

 to twelve cream-coloured eggs are laid in May. The male takes no 

 part in the incubation, which lasts for twenty-eight or thirty days, but 

 remains in the vicinity of the nest, often in company with other drakes 

 of his kind. 



Cromarty, June. 



Presented by G. A. St. Quintin fy W. R. Ogilvie-Grant , Esqrs. 



No. 140. GAD WALL. (Chaulelasmus streperus.) 



This Duck is a w r inter visitor to the British Islands, though in no 

 great numbers, but now breeds regularly in a few localities in Norfolk, 

 where it was originally introduced. It frequents freshwater lakes which 

 afford plenty of cover, and, owing to its retiring habits, is often supposed 

 to be more uncommon than is really the case. It feeds by night, 

 chiefly on grain, seeds, and other vegetable matter. The nest (made of 

 grass and lined with down) is placed at a short distance from the 

 water, under a bush or tuft of long grass. From eight to twelve 

 whitish-buff eggs are laid from towards the end of May onwards. 



Norfolk, July. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 141. TEAL. (Nettion crecca.) 



The smallest of our British Ducks, this species is more abundant 

 during the winter months than in summer, but it breeds in almost every 

 county of Great Britain and Ireland. It frequents fresh water, and 

 feeds on the seeds of aquatic plants, grain, worms, slugs, and insects, 

 and the flesh is much esteemed as food. The nest, composed of dry grass 

 and leaves, is lined with blackish down and is placed in tufts of coarse 



