SHELD-DBAKE. 



TADORNA CORNUTA (S. G. Gmelin). 



Anas tadorna, Linn. S. N. i. p. 195 (1766); Naum. xi. 

 p. 534. 



Anas cornuta, S. G. Gmelin, Reise d. Russl. ii. p. 185, pi. 18 

 (1774).. 



Tadorna vulpanser, Macg. v. p. 22 ; Hewitson, ii. p. 397. 

 Tadorna cornuta, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 352 ; Dresser, vi. p. 451. 



Le Tadorne, French ; Brand-Ente, German ; Pato tarro, 

 Spanish. 



This handsome bird breeds in rabbit-burrows and 

 cavities in the sand on many parts of the coasts of 

 Scotland, England, and Ireland, and bears various 

 names in its various breeding-haunts. " Burrow-Duck " 

 is perhaps the most common of these local appellations ; 

 but I find in the 4th edition of Yarrell that it is also 

 known as " Bar-Gander," " Stock-Annet," and in Orkney 

 as " Sly Goose." To these I may add " Sand-Goose " 

 and " Pied Duck." In the winter many Sheld-Ducks 

 may be found on or off almost all the unfrequented sandy 

 shores of the three Kingdoms, either feeding on the 

 flats or riding at sea in small parties in fine weather at 

 a short distance from land. In my own experience 

 this bird seldom comes inland to any great distance 

 from salt water ; but as many are now bred in a semi- 

 domesticated condition, and allowed the free use of 



