TADORNA CASARCA. 219 



Subfamily TADORNIN^E. 



235. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). The Sheld-duck. 



Moorish. Bou-he-baida (Favier). Spanish. Pato tarro, 

 Anserata. 



" This species is not regular in its appearance near Tangier, 

 and occurs between November and February." Favier. 



Not observed in vicinity of Gibraltar, this coast-frequenting 

 Sheld-duck is found near the mouth of the Guadalquivir, where 

 they breed. 



Male. Head and neck green, below that a white collar, with a broad 

 rich chestnut band, covering the breast j wing-coverts white ; wing-spot 

 or speculum, formed by colours of the outer webs of the secondaries, 

 green ; fleshy knob on base of upper mandible ; bill red ; legs and feet 

 pink. 



Female. Smaller than male,; less bright markings, and no knob on bill. 

 Length 25-26 inches. 



236. Tadorna casarca (Linnaeus). The Ruddy Sheld-duck. 



Moorish. Bou-he (Favier}. Spanish. Pato tarro, Pato canelo, 

 Labanco. 



" This species is resident at no c great distance from Tangier; 

 and others are migratory, crossing to Europe during April and 

 May, returning in September and October. In the immediate 

 vicinity of Tangier it is scarce and only observed in small lots on 

 the lakes and large rivers. Often they entirely, though irregu- 

 larly, disappear for months at a time, probably going to marshes 

 not very far off. The months during which they are usually 

 absent are February, March, and June." Favier. 



They were repeatedly to be seen exposed for sale in Tangier 

 market, with their throats slit in Mahometan fashion, but are 

 very poor food, not worth cooking, as was the case in India, 

 where the Ruddy Sheld-duck is best known to Anglo-Indians as 

 the Brahminy Duck. 



