ANAS TADORNA. 



SHIELDRAKE. 



Generic Character. See Anas Cygnus, (ferns). 



Synonyms. 



Anas Tadorna. Lin. Syfl. 1. p. 195. 4. 

 Shieldrake. Br. Zool. 2. 278. Lath. Syn» 6. p. 504. 



H I S is rather a larger fpecies than the common mallard j 

 it is in length about two feet, in breadth three feet fix inches, 

 and weighs about two pounds and a half ; bill three inches 

 long, curving upwards, having a fmall protuberance at the 

 bafe, the upper mandible is broad, and grooved at the edges 

 near the tip, the nail in full grown birds curves downward 

 from the tip. The colours in the female are confiderably 

 duller and generally want that beautiful bronze, fo predomi- 

 nant on all the dark parts of the male bird, 



The Shieldrake is common on many parts of our coafts, 

 in fome places remaining throughout the year; the female 

 makes her neft in a hole or rabbit burrow, and lines it plen- 

 tifully with down from her breaft ; me lays from twelve to 

 fixteen white eggs, thefe me alfo covers with down: during 

 the time of incubation, which is about thirty days, the male 

 bird is particularly afiiduous in his attention, keeping a ftricl; 

 watch from fome neighbouring eminence ; mould any thing 



51. Mont. Orn. Dift. Bewick's Br. Birds, 

 Pt. 2. p. 306. 



approach 



