ANSERES. 241 



230. TADORNA CORNUTA. 



(COMMON SHELDRAKE.) 



Anas cornuta, S. G. Gmelin, Reise Russl. ii. p. 185 (1774). 



The Common Sheldrake has a greenish-black head and neck, and 

 white lower back, rump, upper tail-coverts, sides of belly, and flanks, 

 all these parts being chestnut in the Ruddy Sheldrake, except the 

 rump and upper tail-coverts, which are black. 



Figures : Dresser, Birds of Europe, vi. pi. 420. 



The Common Sheldrake is not known to have occurred in Yezzo, 

 but is not uncommon in Southern Japan, where it is probably a 

 •resident. There is an example in the Pryer collection from Tokio 

 Bay, and Mr. Ringer has sent one to the Norwich Museum from 

 Nagasaki (Seebohm, Ibis, 1884, p. 175), where the examples obtained 

 by the Siebold Expedition were doubtless also procured (Temminck 

 and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 128). 



The breeding-range of the Common Sheldrake extends from the 

 British Islands, across Europe and South Siberia to Japan. The 

 mean temperature of July is so much less in Yezzo than it is in 

 Dauria, that it is quite possible that this bird does not visit Yezzo, 

 though it breeds ten degrees further north in Siberia. 



231. TADORNA RUTILA. 



(RUDDY SHELDRAKE.) 



Anas rutila, Pallas, Nov. Com. Petrop. xiv. p. 679 (1770). 



The Ruddy Sheldrake is chestnut above and below, except the rump, 

 upper tail-coverts, tail, and quills, which are nearly black. 



Figures : Dresser, Birds of Europe, vi. pi. 421. 



The Ruddy Sheldrake must be a very rare bird in Japan, and 

 confined to the extreme south, since neither Captain Blakiston 

 nor Mr. Pryer were able to procure examples. On the other hand, 

 several examples are said to have been procured by the Siebold 

 Expedition, presumably near Nagasaki (Temminck and Schlegel, 

 Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 128). It is probably only an accidental 

 visitor on migration. 



The breeding-range of the Ruddy Sheldrake extends across Europe 

 and Southern Siberia from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



