THE SWIMMERS. 



H5 



clefts of rocks ; others in hollow trees, or even among the branches, some making use of the deserted 

 nests of land birds ; while others build upon the ground a rude structure composed of stalks and 

 leaves, warmly lined with down. The number of eggs varies in different species from six to sixteen ; 

 the period of incubation extends from twenty-one to twenty-four days. 



THE RUDDY SHELDRAKE, OR BRAHMINY DUCK. 



The Ruddy Sheldrake, or Brahminy Duck (Casarca rutild), represents a group possessing 



slender bodies, moderate-sized wings, and somewhat remarkably coloured plumage, which differs but 



little in the sexes. In this species the body is almost entirely of a bright rust-red ; the cheek is 



yellowish white ; the neck reddish yellow ; the wing is decorated with a glossy green patch, and has 



THE SHELDRAKE {I'ulpanser iadortld). ONE-FOURTH NATURAL SIZE. 



its covers of a pure white ; the margins of the wings, upper tail-covers, quills, and tail, are glossy 

 greenish black. During the breeding season the male has a clearly-defined band of greenish black 

 on the lower throat ; the female rarely exhibits this collar, and is smaller than her mate ; her entire 

 plumage is also less brightly coloured, and her face of a whitish shade ; the eye is light brown ; the 

 beak black ; and the foot lead-grey. This species is from twenty-four inches to twenty -five inches long 

 and forty-four inches broad ; the wing measures sixteen inches, and the tail seven inches. The Ruddy 

 Sheldrakes inhabit Central Asia, and from thence spread in an easterly direction to the Upper Amoor, 

 and westwards as far as Morocco. In the course of then wanderings they are pretty regular visitants 

 to Greece and South Italy. As winter guests they are well known throughout the Indian Peninsula, 

 and are by no means uncommon upon the lakes of Egypt. In Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco they are 

 abundant, but do not apparently extend their range into the interior of Africa. The gait of this 

 beautiful bird is light and elegant ; it does not waddle as most Ducks do, but steps out like a Goose ; 

 vol. iv. — 137 



