1G0 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Anatidce]. 



possible, fairly driven off by the victorious bird, which even 

 followed me for some distance, triumphing over my defeat. There 

 is one simple mark of difference whereby the Hooper may be 

 distinguished from the Mute Swan, viz., the colours of their 

 respective beaks. In C. musicus the beak is black at the point, 

 and reddish yellow at the base: in C. olor these colours are reversed; 

 the point of the beak being of a reddish orange colour, the base 

 black. In other respects the two birds seem externally alike, 

 though on dissection they show several anatomical differences of 

 structure. The Mute Swan has been from early times reckoned a 

 royal bird in England, and I learn from Yarrell that " anciently 

 the crown had an extensive Swannery annexed to the Royal Palace 

 or Manor of Clarendon, in "Wiltshire." 



"Common Shelldrake." (Tadorna vulpanser.) We are now 

 approaching the true Ducks, and this fine species seems well 

 entitled to stand at their head: so conspicuous is its bright coloured 

 plumage, and so attractive its general appearance. It is by no 

 means uncommon on the coast, and occasionally a straggler has 

 appeared in our county. The Rev. F. Goddard, at that time Yicar 

 of Alderton, informed me that a specimen was killed in that neigh- 

 bourhood about the year 1856 or 1857. It is called the " Shell- 

 drake," from the partiality it evinces for the smaller molluscs, 

 which constitute the principal part of its food : and the " Burrow 

 Duck," from its habit of selecting for its nest a cavity in the rock, 

 or a deserted burrow of a rabbit. Like the Geese, but unlike the 

 Ducks, between which it stands, the female wears very much the 

 same coloured plumage as the male. 



" Shoveler." (Anas clypeata.) The beak of this species at once 

 distinguishes it from all other ducks, as here we see in its most 

 perfect form the laminated structure (as it is called) to which I 

 have already alluded : the laminae taking the shape of fine long 

 bristles ; those of the upper mandible projecting beyond the mar- 

 gin, and concealing the front part of the lower mandible. More- 

 over the beak is peculiarly broad, flat, and depressed, the tip more 

 particularly spoon-shaped, and terminated by a hooked nail. 

 Hence the numerous names by which naturalists of various countries 



