WATER BIRDS. 2J7 



flew up and felled him to the ground. Kecovering his 

 feet, he attempted to defend himself with his rake, was 

 again knocked down, and, judging discretion the better 

 part of valour, he beat a hasty retreat, leaving the parent 

 bird in triumphant possession of her eggs. 



The number of cygnets reared by each pair is gene- 

 rally from two to four; I have %n own six on two occa- 

 sions, and once seven, but the latter number is very un- 

 usual. 



Of the numerous family of the Anatidse which I have 

 seen in Sherwood Forest, few are constant residents with 

 us ; some, indeed, are very regular in their visits, 

 while others I have to mention occur only occasionally. 

 Amongst the latter is the Shieldrake (Tadorna Bel- 

 lonnii), which, though a maritime species, I have seen 

 twice on Thoresby Lake. It is a handsome bird, and 

 the distinct colours of its plumage make it a very strik- 

 ing object on the water. I have known of its occurrence 

 also an the river Idle, at Retford, and I have heard that 

 they have bred there. 



The Shoveller (Anas clypeata) is another of our rare 

 visitors. On the 24th of October, 1854, I saw a male 

 of this species on the lake at Thoresby, apparently alone, 

 and watched it for some time. It appeared rather rest- 

 less, though occasionally feeding for a few minutes, and 

 then resuming its watchful attitude ; but it soon took 

 its departure, and I did not see it again. A pair, male 

 and female, was seen on the 23rd of April, 1857, on 

 the decoy at Houghton, and the male, I regret to- say, 

 was shot by the keeper there ; or, from the time of the 

 year, they might very likely have remained and bred in 

 that very secluded place. 



The Wild Duck (A . boschas), I need hardly say, is a 



