574 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XI. 



As they feed principally in shallow water their diving is not called into 

 action, though they often retain their heads under water for long periods. 



Hume on two occasions noticed birds " Washing and sluicing them- 

 selves with an energy and persistence that I have rarely seen equalled 

 in any other species." He then also noticed that the birds remained 

 with their head under the water quite as long at a stretch as any of the 

 true ducks would have done. 



Their food appears to be mainly animal and to consist of shell-fish, 

 water insects, prawns and shrimps, and practically all or any of the 

 small animal life found on the shores at low tide or in shallow water. 

 A small amount of vegetable matter is doubtless eaten now and then, 

 but merely as one takes vegetables with a meat diet. 



Of course they are not good to eat ; which of the animal eating 

 ducks are ? and Hume says even skinning has no effect. It is certainly 

 not to be expected it would, as flavour, unlike beauty, is more than skin 

 deep. 



It does not breed with us, but does not go far for the purpose. It 

 breeds extensively in Turkestan and thence through Russia to our 

 own British coasts where it is common enough. It has been found 

 breeding as far north as Iceland and Greenland, though not exten- 

 sively in either country. As a rule it selects as a site for its nest some 

 deserted burrow, it matters little to what it belongs or did belong, and 

 places its nest at the bottom. It has been said to live in amity with 

 rabbits and even badgers, and to have taken to burrows extenanted by 

 foxes, the smell alone of which would have made most ducks require 

 sal volatile and the rest. 



"Where there are no burrows available they will place their nest at 

 the bottom of some natural hole or crevice in the shore or amongst the 

 rocks. 



They make a good substantial foundation for their nest of grass, 

 reeds, sticks or any other similar material, and then make a luxuriant 

 bed out of their own down in which their eggs are deposited. In 

 Holland this down and the eggs form articles of no little commercial 

 value, and special arrangements are made to accommodate the birds 

 and induce them to give their patronage to certain spots. The 

 sheldrake is fortunately fond of company when undergoing the 

 worries of a family or the preparation for it. The Dutch therefore 



