ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 129 
It is worthy of remark that the numerous instances 
recorded in the weekly papers of the slaughter of Ruddy 
Sheldrakes during the autumn points to the escape from various 
public or private Collections of these birds. 
It was noted in ‘The Field,” of September, 1902, that 
nearly thirty birds were stated to have been observed in Ireland. 
It is most deplorable that these beautiful creatures should be 
ruthlessly exterminated instead of some endeavour being made 
to induce them to remain where they settle. 
Male.—Head and upper neck cream colour, terminating 
in a black ring which encircles the throat ; back, breast, and 
under parts fox colour, with bright red reflections ; shoulder 
creamy-white ; wing-bar glossy-green ; flight feathers and tail 
black ; beak and feet blackish ; eye yellowish-brown. 
Female.—Resembles the male, without the black collar, 
slightly greyish on head and neck. 
Young.—In down, mostly white, with brownish-red 
patches. In first feather, like the female, but with brownish 
wings. 
Egg.—Cream colour, smooth on the surface ; seven to 
twelve in number. April—June. Incubation, twenty-eight to 
thirty days. 
Nest Down.—Very small ; uniform pearly-grey, approach- 
ing white. 
VARIEGATED SHELDRAKE. 
(Casarca vartegata, Tadorna variegata). 
This bird, known in the trade as “Paradise Duck,” 
““ White-headed Sheldrake,” and ‘“‘ Dissimilar Sheldrake,” is a 
native of New Zealand. Imported specimens are but rarely 
for sale, as the supply of European bred birds is now plentiful. 
