70 ANATID^. 



with pied plumage like that under consideration^ often bearing 

 the name of shell-duck. 



On all quarters of the coast this bird is at least occasionally 

 met with, — is " in considerable numbers in Dingle Bay/' and on 

 the shores of Connemara, as well as elsewhere ; — it is not found 

 in North America. Very rarely is it killed in a wild state on 

 fresh water."^ It is generally considered to be bad as food ; but 

 a person of my acquaintance considers the flesh of the young bird, 

 when just able to fly well, very good, while that of the old he 

 regards as strong and having a heavy disagreeable smell. 



Males of this species vary much in size, increasing apparently 

 until they attain the fullest maturity. The old birds of this sex 

 are always, from their superior bulk to the others, singled out 

 and fu-ed at amidst a flock, by the wild-fowl shooters in Belfast 

 Bay ; — they are sometimes as large as brent geese. The finest I 

 have seen was one of seven birds killed here at a shot from a 

 flock of eight. The knob at the base of the upper mandible, 

 which is hard in winter, increases very much in spring, becoming 

 then soft, fleshy, and filled with oily matter : at this season it is 

 as figured by Bewick. 



A fine male shelldrake kept for some years at the Falls near 

 Belfast, was extremely attractive, owing to his brilHant plumage, 

 light graceful walk, and rapid flight. He became so domestic as 

 never to leave the place, though his wings were fi-eely used in fly- 

 ing about it. He would take food from a person's hand, was a 

 very bold bird, and could even master the tame swans. This he 

 managed by alightin'g on their backs and buffeting them with 

 his wings. The swans when so attacked did not attempt to re- 

 taHate, but invariably made the best of their way from the tor- 

 mentor. The peculiar and quick whistHng caU of this bird, heard 

 at a considerable distance, was frequently uttered. He paired with 

 the common duck, for two or three years successively, producing 

 a beautiful progeny. Several others which were kept here never 

 bred, either with their own species or with the common duck, 



* An immatui'c male was shot on the river near Clonmcl, January 19th, 18il. 



