84 RUDDY SHELD-DUCK MALLARD. 



Materials. Dead grass and moss. Eggs buried in the 

 greyish white down from the bird's breast. 



Eggs. Seven to twelve. Pure creamy white, smooth, glossy, 

 and roundish in shape. 



BUDDY SHELD-DUCK (Tadorna casarca). 



A rare visitor, but it has occurred in large numbers from 

 time to time. In a semi-domesticated state it is often seen 011 

 ornamental waters, and is at once attractive on account of its 

 prevailing orange-brown plumage, and its buff head with 

 narrow black collar. 



MALLAED OR WILD DUCK (Anas loscas). 



Kesident. Our commonest Duck, being well distributed 

 throughout Great Britain, and nesting where suitable. 



Haunts. Well-watered districts. 



Plumage. Head and neck green; white ring round neck. 

 Breast chestnut ; speculum green, bordered with white. Eump, 

 upper and under tail-coverts and curled feathers of tail black, 

 remaining tail-feathers grey ; flanks and belly dull white, Bill 

 yellowish green. Legs and feet orange-red. Length 24 in. 

 Female smaller, and plumage generally mottled with brown 

 and buff. The male assumes a plumage like the female in 

 May. Young, like the female. 



Language. Much resembling the homely "quack" or 

 " quark " of the domesticated Duck. 



Habits. It walks awkwardly (waddles), owing to the back- 

 ward position of the legs. It swims well, and can submerge 

 the body, leaving the bill only projecting above the water, when 

 thoroughly alarmed. It flies rapidly with neck outstretched. 

 It feeds by night, sifting and spattering mud in its specialized 

 laminated bill. Before the young are able to fend for them- 

 selves, the male, like all true Ducks, sheds his nuptial plumage, 

 and assumes the mottled garb of the female, and during the 

 moult he is incapable of flight. 



Food. Practically omnivorous. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. Among reeds at the side of a lake or river, under 

 some bush ; sometimes, though rarely, in a tree, or far from 

 water. 



Materials. Grass, rushes, leaves, profusely lined with 

 neutral greyish down from the bird's breast. 



Eggs. Eight to twelve. White, slightly tinged with green, 

 smooth-shelled and oval in shape. 



