372 
Known in New Zealand as the “ Paradise 
Duck,” this species (Casarca 
variegata) is confined, in the 
wild state, to that country, 
but, since it breeds well in captivity, has long 
been well known in Europe, though it cannot 
be called a cheap or abundant species. The 
bird in the photograph is a female, the drake 
having the head greenish-black instead of 
Variegated 
Sheldrake. 
snow-white, while his plumage is almost 
entirely iron-grey, this hue in the duck 
being mixed with chestnut. This great 
difference in the sexes is unique among the 
sheldrakes, in which group drake and duck 
are usually very much alke. Another 
remarkable pecu- 
liarity in the 
New Zealand 
species is its very 
fretful, quarrel- 
some disposition. 
It cherishes an 
especial hatred 
for the Upland or 
Magellanic Goose 
(Chloéphaga 
magellanica), 
which warmly 
reciprocates the 
feeling. Yet the 
two birds can 
never meet in a 
natural state, 
since the goose 
is only found 
wild in southern South America, so that 
here we have a psychical peculiarity which 
certainly cannot be due to natural selection. 
Photo by 
W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
FEMALE VARIEGATED SHELDRAKE. 
ir 
OuR common British Sheldrake (Tadorna 
cornuta) is the very opposite, 
common in temper as well as in habitat, 
of the peevish Paradise Duck, 
for it is the best-tempered of all the 
sheldrakes, none of which are absolutely 
to be relied upon, at any rate when 
breeding. No duck equals this bird in 
startling contrasts of colour, for in addition 
to the black and white shown in the 
photograph, the band across the breast is 
Animal Life 
bright chestnut and the bill scarlet. The 
knob on the forehead is only found in the 
drake, and is not fully developed except at the 
breeding season. This sheldrake has a wide 
range across the northern parts of the Old 
World, and, unlike most of the surface-feeding 
ducks, is almost confined to the sea-coasts. 
It breeds with us, nesting by preference in 
rabbit-burrows, whence it is sometimes 
called the Burrow-Duck. Another local name 
is “ Bargander,’ a word probably akin to 
the German Bergente and Dutch Bergeend. 
The name Sheldrake is derived from the 
old word ‘“sheld,’ which means pied or 
variegated. This sheldrake is frequently kept 
as an ornamental 
bird, and is one 
of the best for 
that purpose, as 
it is handsome 
and graceful 
either on land or 
water, and both 
sexes are showy 
in colour. It is, 
however, not a 
very free breeder, 
but is more hkely 
to go to nest if 
natural accom- 
modation in the 
shape of a burrow 
be provided. In 
some parts of the 
Continent the 
wild birds are encouraged to nest by means 
of artificial burrows, which are robbed syste- 
matically both of the eggs and of the down 
in which these are bedded, which. down is 
but little inferior to that of the Hider-Duck. 
Such profitable culture of this beautiful bird 
might well be attempted in suitable parts 
of our own coast; and as it is quite harm- 
less and, owing to its rank flavour, very 
unfit for food, it might well be accorded 
especial protection all the year round. 
7 
THIS is another conspicuous pied bird of our 
coasts. Like the sheldrake’s, its 
The Oyster= : 
colours are bright black and 
catcher. 
