126 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
mental waters and at poultry shows. It is known by the 
familiar names of ‘‘Sly Goose,” ‘Fox Goose,” and “ Burrow 
Duck,” the latter appellation having been given it in conse- 
quence of its habit of nesting in sand-hills, where it either 
excavates for itself a home, or appropriates a deserted rabbit- 
burrow. 
This disposition on the part of the Shelduck is well 
known to the natives of Holland, who prepare for the birds 
tunnels to lay in, taking the eggs as they are produced. 
The eggs are laid in April and May, and if taken from 
the nest and placed under a hen, can easily be hatched. 
The young might with advantage thus be reared, and sub- 
sequently turned down when pinioned on our lakes and 
ponds. The Sheldrake is undoubtedly more of a marine 
than a freshwater Duck, a circumstance rendering it more 
difficult to adopt as an ornamental waterfowl. It does not 
pair till its third year. Although not properly a diving bird, 
my own Sheldrake invariably ‘‘went under” when pursued or 
alarmed, and would progress for some distance below the 
surface of the pond with great ease. Like all members of the 
genus, Sheldrakes are very quarrelsome during the breeding 
season, and will attack and drive other ducks from the nests in 
order to secure a favourable position for their own, which is a 
neat round structure of dried grasses, lined with down and 
feathers. These birds may be usaully obtained in the winter at 
from 18s. to 25s. a couple. 
Male.—Head and upper part of the neck dark glossy- 
green, bounded- by a broad white collar, to which succeeds a 
broader band of rich chestnut; lower parts white; a broad 
black band down the abdomen to between the legs ; tertiaries 
black, ending in chestnut; flight feathers black; wing-bar 
bronze-green ; bill, with knob at base, red ; eyes dark brown. 
