THE SHIELDRAKE. 229 



only a straggler, although in former days, when our system of drain- 

 age was less perfect, it was a more frequent visitor, and considerable 

 numbers of them remained and bred. It dwells in marshes, on 

 lakes and large rivers, being seldom found near the sea-coast; feeding 

 occasionally on vegetable substances, but chiefly on fresh-water 

 molluscs, worms, and insects, for grubbing up which, and separating 

 them from the sand and mud, its bill is evidently well adapted. 



The Shoveller is met with in various parts of Europe, also in 

 Asia, Africa, and America. The nest is constructed on the borders 

 of rushy lakes, and in it the birds lay from eight to twelve eggs. 

 When first hatched, the young ones are excessively ugly, their beaks 

 being almost as large as their bodies. The flesh of the Shoveller is 

 tender and delicate, and preserves its pink colour even after it is 

 cooked. 



Before leaving the AnatincB, the Wood Duck (Anas sftonsa), the 

 most beautiful of this family found in America ; also the American 

 Widgeon, or Bald-pate (Anas aniericana), ought not to be forgotten. 



The Shieldrake (Anas tadorna). 



This very beautiful bird is a permanent resident in the British 

 Islands, although it is only met sparingly along our coasts. It 

 resorts in spring and summer to the sandy bays on the west coast 

 of England and Scotland, from the Land's End to the Shetland 

 Islands. In autumn and winter it is found on the eastern coast 

 both of Scotland and England, where many individuals remain 

 to breed. It is generally found in the neighbourhood of sandy 

 marshy land and moist meadows near the sea. It walks with 

 a quickish step, and has a swift flight, something like the Mallard, 

 and with a more rapid beat of the wings than the Goose. 



The Shieldrake (Fig. 87) is the most remarkable of all the 

 Duck tribe, not only from its size, but from its beauty and the 

 elegant variations of its plumage. It is larger and stands higher 

 on its legs than the common Wild Duck. The plumage is full, soft, 

 and blended ; the feathers of the head and upper neck are small and 

 silky. The colours are very brilliant, being of a glossy blackish 

 green on the head and neck, with purplish reflections in some lights ; 

 a broad band or ring of white is found on the neck, and lower 

 another of orange-red encircles the fore part of the body. The rest 

 of the under parts are white, with a band of glossy black on the 

 breast and belly ; the back white, variegated with black, white, 

 russet, and green. The Shieldrake abounds on the coasts of the 



