SHELD-DUCK 



Tadorna cornuta 



HE Common Sheldrake is a resident in the British Islands, 

 and is distributed more or less abundantly on all the 

 suitable parts of our coasts. It is, however, much more 

 abundant in little-frequented districts, owing to the way 

 in which it is persecuted in many localities. It wanders 

 far from its usual haunts during late autumn and winter, 

 and is then much more universally distributed. 



It is exclusively a marine bird in most parts of the country, and frequents 

 the sandy portions of our coasts, especially where the sand is blown into hills 

 and covered with bents. It is rather a shy bird, even during the breeding 

 season, and remains more or less gregarious all the year round. Its flight 

 is slow and laboured, rather more like that of a goose than a duck. It is 

 somewhat larger than a Mallard, and is one of our most handsomely 

 plumaged ducks, the white, black, and rich chestnut of its plumage forming 

 a pleasing combination. On land they walk with ease like a goose, and 

 resemble that bird in their habits to a large extent. They are fond of 

 frequenting the grass fields in early morning, not so much for the sake of the 

 young grass shoots as for the slugs and worms which they devour greedily. 



The call -note of the Sheldrake is a harsh ' quddck,' not unlike that of 

 the Mallard. During the breeding season the male has a clear, rapidly 

 repeated whistle, and his alarm-note to his mate is a deep ' Kow-kow-kow.' 



The food of the Sheldrake consists of seaweeds, molluscs, and various 

 kinds of marine animals which it obtains on the sea-shore ; it also frequents 

 the pools of brackish water, and little ponds of fresh water near the coast, 

 where it procures various water -insects and the buds and roots of aquatic 

 plants. It does not dive for its food, but may be seen in the shallow water 

 head downwards, with only its tail visible, feeding on the bottom. 

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