130 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
In the beautiful work by Sir Walter Buller on the “ Birds of New 
Zealand,” we find the Variegated Sheldrake named as being the 
finest of the eight species of ducks which inhabit that country, 
where they may be found at certain seasons of the year, 
congregating in large flocks. It is said that they require to 
be constantly on the water in order to preserve their health, 
and that if removed from it they are attacked by a species of 
cramp which often proves fatal, the bird lying on the ground 
on its breast, unable to use its legs, and flapping its wings 
apparently in the greatest agony. The nest of dry grass, lined 
with down and feathers, is usually placed among reeds near 
the water, but on one occasion Buller discovered a nest in 
a hole on the face of a sandstone cliff at some considerable 
distance from the ground. During the breeding season these 
birds separate in pairs, and are then extremely fierce, attacking 
and often destroying birds considerably their superior in size. 
I have seen a pair set upon a Canadian Gander, and with 
screams of rage drive him round and round the pond until the 
Gander was thoroughly exhausted, when both birds fastening 
on his back, they pushed him under the surface of the water, 
until he was nearly drowned, the attendant arriving only just in 
time to draw him to land ina net. It will be found advisable 
to separate the Variegated Sheldrake from the smaller Ducks 
during the breeding season, as they will in all probability 
destroy or permanently injure them, besides interfering 
materially with their breeding prospects. The “Paradise Duck” 
requires an abundance of green vegetable, and it is therefore 
desirable to cut and throw in large handfuls of grass daily, 
unless the birds have a supply within reach. Casarca variegata 
is undoubtedly one of the most attractive and showy of the 
large varieties of duck, the strongly contrasting plumage, to- 
gether with their singular moaning cry invariably attracting 
much notice. They are, however, somewhat expensive, and 
