RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THE RUDDY SHELDRAKE. 397 



fact that large numbers are kept in semi-confinement in this 

 country, and not unfrequently escape when unpinioned. 



In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and northern Germany, the 

 Ruddy Sheldrake is extremely rare, while Holland, Belgium and 

 France do not appear to have yielded even a single specimen. 

 This rarity is the more surprising seeing how extensive the 

 breeding-range of this duck is, reaching from China and Japan in 

 the East to the extreme South of Spain in the West. In 

 Southern Russia it breeds commonly, extending as far north as 

 lat. 55°, or thereabouts, going southward in autumn, and wintering 

 on the southern and south-eastern shores of the Mediterranean 

 basin. 



It is to these Russian birds, in my opinion, that we are 

 indebted for the recent appearance of the Ruddy Sheldrake in 

 Great Britain. Those that visited this country being non- 

 breeders, who probably accompanied the older birds on their 

 northern journey in the spring, were driven away by them from 

 the breeding-grounds, lost their bearings, and, crossing Russia 

 and the North Sea, found themselves landed on our inhospitable 

 shores. 



The following are some of the chief reasons for supposing 

 them to be wild : — 



(1). Their appearance in large numbers and at approximately 

 the same time (i.e. end of June and commencement of July). 



(2). Their appearance in widely-separated localities (e.g., Co. 

 Donegal, Sutherlandshire, and Suffolk). 



(3). The perfect condition of their flight-feathers. In no case 

 that I could hear of did the primaries show any signs of having 

 been tampered with. One curious point in connection with their 

 plumage, however, was the extremely worn and threadbare con- 

 dition of the tertials : the various correspondents who were kind 

 enough to give me particulars concerning their specimens all 

 noted this fact. I have often observed in birds that the tertials 

 suffer more than other feathers, and are very shabby just before 

 the moult, but have never seen it so strongly marked as in these 

 Sheldrakes. 



(4). Their age : second year (or possibly more;. 



(5). Their wildness (most observers were agreed on this point). 



(6). Their long flights (e. g. t the Suffolk flock, which vanished 

 after leaving Thorpe Mere : none were heard of at this time 



