OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 343 



circumstances. The Sheldrake pairs for life ; at all seasons the duck and drake 

 may be observed in company, and in many cases the old nesting site is tenanted 

 yearly. This Duck cannot be termed gregarious in the breeding season, and 

 although many pairs may nest within a small reach of the coast, each appears to 

 keep apart from the rest. The nest is usually placed at the end of a burrow, 

 especially a rabbit hole ; sometimes it is under rocks, and has been known in a 

 very dense furze thicket. The Sheldrake may occasionally dig its own burrow, 

 and this is then said to be nearly circular, but I do not think that such is often the 

 case, at least in our Islands. The nest is a simple one, and consists of a little dry 

 grass and an abundant lining of down from the bird. The eggs are from six to 

 twelve in number, but larger clutches are on record, and in cases where they have 

 been judiciously removed as many as thirty have been taken from a single nest. 

 They are creamy-white in colour, smooth in texture, very brittle, and possess 

 considerable gloss. They measure on an average 2"7 inches in length by 1'9 inch 

 in breadth. The down is lavender-grey. Incubation is performed by both male 

 and female (but the latter sits the most), and lasts about a month. The nest is 

 very difficult to find unless the birds are watched at morning and evening when 

 the sitting bird is relieved by its mate. The male is seldom seen near the nest, 

 and both birds are remarkably cautious when leaving or approaching it. One 

 brood only is reared in the year, and as soon as the young are hatched they are 

 taken by their parents to the beach. 



Diagnostic Cliaracters — Tadoma, with the head and neck green (brown 

 in young or first plumage), below which is a broad white collar. Length, 25 

 inches. 



