DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 189 



change their small feathers twice, once in early 

 summer and once in autumn. The young are 

 hatched covered with down, and able, to a great 

 extent, to shift for themselves. 



SHELDRAKE. 



This remarkably handsome species, the Anas 

 cornuta of S. G. Gmelin, and the Tadorna cornuta 

 of most modern naturalists, is a resident on such 

 parts of the British coasts as are suited to its needs. 

 Unfortunately, continued persecution has driven 

 this beautiful Duck from many a haunt along the 

 coast, and it is now almost entirely confined during 

 the breeding season to the more secluded districts, 

 or to such places where man may accord it some 

 measure of protection. Low sandy coasts, and ex- 

 tensive dunes by the sea, are the favourite resort of 

 the Sheldrake ; and, owing to its secretive habits 

 and exceptional wariness, it is a species that may 

 be very easily overlooked. During the breeding 

 season, an observer may wander for hours up and 

 down the haunts of this Duck without seeing a 

 single bird. Once seen, however, it is easily iden- 

 tified no other bird along the coast more readily. 

 The harlequin arrangement of the colours is more 

 eccentric, perhaps, than beautiful. The bill, to begin 

 with, is crimson ; the head and upper neck are dark 

 metallic-green ; the lower neck is white, and below 

 this is a broad band of bay or chestnut ; the rump, 

 upper tail coverts, and tail (except the tip, which 



