216 T ADORN A T ADORN A 



Ordinarily Sheldrakes are seen in small parties or collections of several families, 

 but in favorite localities, such as the west Scotland and other North Sea coasts, they 

 assemble in flocks of several hundred after the breeding season. When on the wing 

 these flocks assume the wedge formation, or else they fly in a slanting line (Nau- 

 mann, 1896-1905). 



Association with other Species. Seldom seen alone, these birds are very so- 

 ciable among themselves, even in the breeding season, but they show little inclina- 

 tion to associate with other species. This may be explained by the fact that their 

 habits are so unique, for they are essentially land ducks. Stragglers that have wan- 

 dered inland have been found in the company of other species, or even with Do- 

 mestic Ducks, but these are usually immature individuals (Naumann, 1896-1905). 

 In confinement they have been noticed to have a particular aversion to geese, and 

 to bully them. They have also attacked and beaten swans, and even given battle 

 to game-cocks. An abnormal nest found in an exposed situation in England contained 

 nine eggs of the Sheldrake and two of the Red-breasted Merganser (Foster, British 

 Birds, vol. 6, p. 190, 1912). 



Voice. The trachea of the male in this species is highly specialized, having a 

 double, globular, hollow, bony protuberance at its lower end. The enlargement on 

 the right side is very much greater than that on the left. The bony walls of these 

 diverticula are thin and flexible, and when fresh may be indented by pressure. The 

 trachea itself is smaller toward the lower end. It has been figured and described by 

 various authors, notably by Latham and Romsey (1798), Eyton (1838) and Yarrell 

 (1856). 



The voice of the male is modified, like that of all true ducks, and consists of a 

 korr, korr, and during the breeding season there is a whistling note which Naumann 

 describes as a "soft, whistling singing; slowly uttered and continued sometimes for 

 half a minute at a time, reminding one of the jodel of various snipe-like birds." 

 This note, which I heard only once, I described as a sort of short, very abrupt 

 whistle, quickly repeated and rising to a crescendo, then dying away. The female 

 meanwhile answered by a few low grunts. This whistling note is heard only during 

 the breeding season and at that time the male does not ordinarily sound his loud 

 call. The note of the female is usually described as quacking, much like a duck, but 

 less resonant. More specifically it is spoken of as "a harsh long-drawn bark or 

 chattering quack, like a peregrine falcon heard at a distance" (Blathwayt, 1902). 

 These are not particularly noisy birds. The young peep like young domestic 

 ducks, but not so frequently 



Food. The Sheldrake is chiefly dependent for its nourishment on minute marine 



