224 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
times nearer to Cairo in May, always in flocks of about 
twenty.* 
187. SHELDUCK, Tadorna vulpanser, Fleming. 
(35, Anas damiatica, Hasselquist); ‘Chahraman.” 
My father considers, from the Latin description, that this 
is the Damiatic Duck of Hasselquist, and I accordingly 
quote it in deference to his opinion. 
On the 3rd of June I saw two of these handsome fellows 
swimming on lake Faioum, at a short distance from where 
we were encamped. I could plainly see that they were 
male and female. I let fly at the drake, but he was too far 
for me, and I did not get him, and we never saw them again. 
The only other example I saw belonged to Mr. Cory, and 
was obtained by him in Cairo market. 
Most naturalists are aware that the young of this species 
has a white face, but it is perhaps not so generally known 
that this mark of immaturity sometimes lasts to the spring, 
for I have seen a specimen with it on the 27th of March; 
and I have known an instance in captivity of its breeding 
with a white face. 
188. SHOVELLER Duck, Spatula clypeata (Linn.) ; 
“ Hick.” 
Certainly a very common Duck. I shot four on the 
27th of April; two were drakes, and they were not in 
full plumage, but I considered that they were going off, and 
not that they had not yet assumed it. Its edible qualities 
* Nine supposed occurrences of the Ruddy Shelduck in Great Britain 
are quoted in Harting’s “ Hand List,” four of which I believe would not 
stand a proper sifting, viz., those said to have been killed at Caithness, 
Orford, Blackstakes, and Epworth. 
