ORDER PALMirEDES. 669 



pared to the deep hissing of a large serpent ; it feeds on 

 worms, Crustacea, and small fish ; it is equally an inhabitant 

 of the north of Europe and America. 



Anas Leucophtalmas, and the Pied Duck, which belong to 

 this division, are described at pages G>\S and 614. 



The SoucHETS, Cuv., Rhyncapsis, Leach, are repre- 

 sented by Anas Clypeata, Shoveler Duck, Lath. This duck 

 feeds on small worms, insects, and Crustacea, which it seeks 

 in the mud and sand on the edges of waters ; it also catches 

 flies, according to Gesner, and constantly refuses every thing 

 farinaceous. This bird is wild and melancholy ; it sleeps 

 during the entire day, but puts itself in motion in the even- 

 ing, and bathes frequently during the night. It is known in 

 the north, in Kamtschatka, and even in America. The 

 opposite figure is from General Hardwicke's drawings, from 

 a specimen found in India. It is a winter visitant in France 

 and England. Its flesh is savoury and delicate. 



The Tadorna (Shieldrakes) appear here and in France 

 in the spring. They then spread themselves in the neigh-^ 

 bourhood of the sea, and are often known to seek a lodging 

 in the holes of rabbits. They seem to be rather particular 

 in their choice, for they will enter a hundred before they find 

 one that suits them. They do not make any nest in these 

 holes. The female lays her first eggs on the naked sand ; 

 and when she has laid from ten to fourteen, she envelops 

 them in a very thick white do^vn, of which she despoils 

 herself. The incubation lasts thirty days, during which time 

 the male watches assiduously on a neighbouring down or 

 sand-hill. He never quits it but two or three times a day, 

 to seek food. Morning and evening the female quits the 

 eggs, for the same purpose. Then the male enters into the 

 burrow, more particularly in the morning ; and when the 

 female comes back, he returns to his ordinary post. When 



