THE SWIMMERS. 147 



habits they bear some resemblance to the Brahminy Ducks before described ; their gait, however, 

 is somewhat heavier, and they swim with greater facility. In their voices there is no resemblance 

 whatever between the two species. The call-note of the female is a loud " Quack," and that of the 

 male a deep " Koer," while during the pairing season they give utterance to a peculiar whistle. Their 

 food is preferably vegetable, consisting of the tender parts of sea-weeds and other plants which 

 abound in salt water ; they will likewise eat grass, and when in confinement occasionally devour 

 small fishes, molluscs, and small crustaceans ; neither do they altogether refuse flesh. These birds 

 seek their food less by swimming than by wading. As the tide recedes they may be seen running like 

 shore-birds just at the margin of the water, and carefully examining the contents of every little pool. 

 During the morning they visit the fields, in order to hunt for insects and grubs, as well as for 

 vegetable matter; they sometimes for a like purpose resort to marshes and swampy places. The 

 Common Sheldrakes construct their nests only in holes or burrows excavated in the earth. 

 "Whoever has been much in the vicinity of the sea-coast," says Bodinus, "will probably have 

 observed with surprise that a pair or two of these birds, seen at the distance of half a mile or so, in 

 some open spot, suddenly disappear in a most unaccountable manner, and on visiting the place will, 

 find that they have taken refuge underground, in some hole formed by a fox, badger, or rabbit; 

 nay, more, that they have positively taken up their abode in this strange locality even while its 

 formidable four-footed occupant is actually in possession of the premises. It is now an undeniable 

 fact, established by the concurrent testimony of numerous observers, that the Sheldrake and the fox 

 not unfrequently dwell in the same hole, and that the latter, who spares no other bird, does not 

 molest or injure its adventurous lodger." We have certainly not been able to verify this statement by 

 personal observations, and have moreover found on one occasion the wings and feathers of a 

 Sheldrake lying close to a hole inhabited by a fox ; but there was nothing to show that the fox had 

 been the murderer, even under circumstances so suspicious, seeing that the spot was in the vicinity of 

 a wood much frequented by Hawks and other birds of prey. Were we asked why the bloodthirsty 

 quadruped should thus spare the poor Duck, we should confidently reply that it was on account of 

 the extraordinary courage of the bird. We have ourselves seen a young Sheldrake, not many days old, 

 defend itself valorously against animals of large size, such as fowls, small dogs, and rabbits. Instead 

 of running away, it showed a bold front, holding its neck outstretched, angrily repelling every attack, 

 and never seeming to think of retreating until its assailant had retired. The old birds, more 

 especially during the breeding season, are equally courageous ; the male stands bravely forward, and 

 confronts his opponent with loud hisses, until, daunted by his angry, threatening demeanour, the enemy 

 sneaks away. Having put his adversary to flight, he returns to his mate, who stands up nobly to 

 assist her spouse, and both give utterance to their mutual congratulations over the victory in loud 

 screams and frequent caresses. 



The following particulars concerning the breeding of these birds, by the forester Gromelbein, 

 will be read with interest. Towards the end of May, Gromelbein, while busily employed in 

 a wood at some distance from the coast, observed a pair of Sheldrakes that flew around his party 

 several times in succession, and as often flew towards and alighted on a hill of sand at some 

 little distance, where the male always stationed himself as if to keep watch, while the female 

 leisurely entered a hole, in which she remained about a quarter of an hour. When she again came to 

 the surface she approached her mate, and after apparently holding a consultation they both took 

 a circular flight into some neighbouring fields, where they alighted on spots quite remote from each 

 other, evidently for the purpose of misleading anyone who might be watching their movements. On 

 observing this manoeuvre, Gromelbein hastened to the hill, and there found the hole of a fox, at the 

 entrance of which were numerous footmarks of the fox and of the Ducks, together with recent 



