32 



time been struck by a shot, which had passed 

 through the upper mandible. This wound was 

 quite healed up, but a small piece of the horny 

 substance of the beak had been splintered, and 

 into the crack produced by the fracture, two or 

 three of the fine fibres which form part of the 

 flowers or seeds of the reed were so firmly fixed, 

 that the bird was held fast. It must have been 

 flying up the dyke, and, brushing too closely to the 

 reeds that grew on the banks, been caught in the 

 manner described. 



The struggles of the captive had broken down 

 the reed, which was lying flat on the water, except 

 when lifted up by the victim in his vain attempts to 

 escape. On being cleared from his unpleasant 

 position he flew off, apparently none the worse for 

 the mishap. 



The specimens in the case were shot between 

 Shoreham and Lancing, in Sussex, in January, 

 1871, the case itself being copied from a small 

 sluice on the saltings in Shoreham Harbour. 



SHIELDKAKE. 

 Case 46. 



The birds are abundant on many parts of the 

 coast. They may be found as residents, however, 

 more commonly in the northern than in the southern 

 division of the island ; but in severe weather they 

 are frequently driven from their usual haunts, and 

 make their appearance on any open water. 



In some quarters they are known as " Burrow 

 Ducks," their name being derived from their habit 

 of breeding in rabbit warrens, the nest being 

 usually placed at a depth of four or five feet in the 

 burrow. 



By the time the young are hatched, the parent 

 birds (the females especially) generally present a 

 very dirty and ragged appearance ; the confined 



