The British Shelduck.



161



and nest in hollow logs placed among neighbouring trees, overhang¬

ing the water. Mr. F. E. Blaauw succeeded with them, when both

parents were, I imagine, pinioned ; hut the female did not hatch her

own eggs, after having laid them in two boxes placed on poles in the

water, [c.f. Avic. Mag., Yol. VII., p. 37].


The Golden-eyes are splendid divers, and the male with his

head of glossy dark green, his bright yellow eye, black and white

plumage and orange legs and feet is a conspicuous bird in a collection

of ducks.


* * *


THE BRITISH SHELDUCK.


Tadorna cornuta.


If these birds were imported from some far-off part of the

world for the first time, duck fanciers would tumble over each other

to obtain them, for there is no duck more strikingly handsome.

Moreover they become exceedingly tame, but are inclined to be very

bullying.


The male is easily distinguished from the female, being a good

size larger, and his colouring more brilliantly and definitely defined.

The crimson knob too of the male (especially in the spring time)

is very much larger and more vivid in colouring.


As with other ducks, and geese too, the voices of the sexes

differ, the female Shelduck emits a distinct ‘ quack,’ as well as a sort

of bark, whilst the drake’s notes are more whistling, and in the

breeding season they take the form of a clear rapidly-repeated trill.


Shelducks are known as Burrow Ducks, from their almost

invariable habit of nesting in burrows near the sea ; although they

do sometimes lay their eggs under bushes, and amongst bracken, if

the coast is too rocky and shingly for them to burrow. They will

also resort to rabbit-warrens which are not far from the sea.


On Wolferton Heath in Norfolk, the old birds will pass

through the village street with their young ones en route for the

sea-coast, where several broods collect together. Shelduck take two,

if not three years to fully mature.


They are not naturally divers, but can do so when playing on

the water, or in the event of escaping from a Peregrine.



