128 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
Young. —‘“‘Upper body rusty, the white wing-coverts finely 
pencilled with blackish, a broad black band on the wing, the 
speculum dull.” (Salvadori). 
Egg.—No information. Probably September—October. 
GENUS CASARCA. 
Four species are included in this genus, their range being 
confined to the old world and Australian region, all of which 
have been domesticated. 
RUDDY SHELDRAKE. 
(Casarca casarca. Casarca rutila. Tadorna casarca). 
This handsome bird is known by a variety of names, in 
India, it being the “‘ Brahminy Duck” or “ Rajah,” and in this 
country “Ruddy Goose” and ‘Collared Duck.” It inhabits 
the south and south-eastern parts of Europe, and parts of Asia 
and North America, breeding in Algeria, Palestine, and Southern 
Russia. Dresser states that in its habits the Ruddy Sheldrake 
has more affinity with the geese than with the true ducks. It 
walks, like a Goose, with ease, grazes in the cornfields on tender 
shoots, eats grain, seeds of all kinds, and feeds to some extent 
on fish, worms, and frogs. Like the Common Sheldrake, its 
nesting habits vary, as it will incubate equally on the bare 
ground, in fissures of cliffs, or in hollow trees. The Ruddy 
Sheldrake have hybridized in the Zoological Gardens with the 
Egyptian Goose, the progeny proving very handsome, and 
continuing to breed zvzer se. I found them to be early breeders, 
and hardy, producing a nest full of eggs during the heavy snows 
of March, 1888. The Ruddy Sheldrake is fairly plentiful in the 
market and can be obtained at from gos. to £4 a pair. 
