192 COMMON SHIELDEAKE. 



state they are said to feign lameness, like some of our land birds, if come upon sud- 

 denly, while they have a very young brood with them: when the young are older, 

 they leave them to shift for themselves, and secure their own safety by flight. 



The food of the Shieldrake consists of marine shell-fish, Crustacea, sea-worms, and sea- 

 slugs, together with portions of various sea-weeds. In a state of domestication, they 

 eat almost anything that is given to them — corn, bread, potatoes, and other such things. 



They are monogamus. 



The note is a shrill whistle. 



The nest is usually placed in a hole in the earth, frequently an old rabbit-hole; 

 and the excavation is sometimes carried, as recorded by Mr. Selby, as far as ten or 

 twelve feet. It is formed of dried grass or sedge, and lined with their own down. 



The eggs, which are from ten to fourteen in number, are of a shining white; and 

 measure two inches and three-quarters in length, by one inch and eleven lines in 

 breadth. 



Incubation is completed in thirty days; and, Mr. Selby says, the male watches near 

 during the whole period, and at morning and evening takes his turn upon the eggs, 

 thus allowing the female time to obtain the necessary food. 



The young birds, as soon as hatched, are led, or sometimes even carried in the bill, 

 to the sea, and soon learn to take care of themselves by scattering and diving to avoid 

 danger. 



In the adult male, the bill is scarlet colour; irides, brown. Head and upper neck, 

 glossy blackish green; lower part of neck and upper breast, pure white; lower breast, 

 chestnut red, the same colour running over the upper part of the back in a narrower 

 band. The centre of the back, rump, and upper tail coverts, are white; tail, Avhite, 

 with the tip black. Primaries, black, as are also the scapulars ; secondaries form a green 

 speculum; tertials, white, the outer webs having abroad edge of chestnut red. Point of 

 wing, and wing coverts, white. Centre of belly, black; which colour also runs through 

 the chestnut band on the breast. Vent, and under tail coverts, white; as are also 

 the sides and thighs. Legs and feet, flesh-colour. 



The females are somewhat smaller, and less brightly coloured, than the males. 



The young birds are less brightly coloured than the adults; and the colours are less 

 distinct. The white is less pure, and the chestnut more inclined to dark brown. 



The total length is from two feet to two feet two inches. 





