Nest, &c. 
Food. 
294 NATATORES. TADORNA. SHIELDRAKE- 
It is, however, now generally allowed, that the bird described 
under that name in the British Zoology must have been 
Fuligula (Anas) Nyroca (the Nyroca or White-eyed Po- 
chard), the Ferruginous Duck of Montacu; the size, weight, 
colour of the bill and legs, as well as that of the plumage, 
so far as detailed by PENNaNT, agreeing exactly with the 
female of this species. 'The specimen from which the pre- 
sent figure is taken was killed in the south of England, and 
was kindly forwarded to me by Mr Gouxp, for the purposes 
of this work, and is now in my collection, having been pre- 
sented to me by the gentleman into whose possession it 
passed from Mr Goutp. In Europe, the Casarka inhabits 
Russia and other eastern districts, and is occasionally met 
with (during its migrations) in Hungary and Austria. It is 
also scattered over a great part of Asia, being found in 
Persia and India, from which latter country I have received 
specimens of it. The species appears to be the same in 
Africa, the specimens from the Cape of Good Hope, and 
other parts, in no respect differing, either as to colours or 
markings, from the European and Asiatic. In figure, this 
bird greatly resembles the Common Shieldrake, but stands 
rather higher upon its legs. It does not seem, however, to 
have any fleshy tubercle at the base of the bill, like that 
bird, so that Mr Stepuens and others have erred in includ- 
ing that specific peculiarity amongst their generic characters. 
In habits, it is said to be similar to our native species, and a 
reference to the preceding article will point out the places 
that it also chooses for nidification, with this difference only, 
that the Casarka is rarely found on the sea-coast, but breeds 
upon the borders of the larger rivers of Russia and the other 
eastern countries it inhabits, laying from eight to ten white 
egos.—It feeds upon aquatic plants, insects, and the roe and 
small fry of fishes. 
Pirate 48**, Figure of the natural size. Length about 
twenty-three inches. 
