ANAS TADORNA. 
SHIELDRAKE, 
Generic Character. See KndiS Cygnus, (ferus). 
Synonyms. 
Anas Tadorna. 7Jn, Syft, i«/'»i95. 4- 
Snii^LDRAKE. Br, ZooL 2. 278. Lath, Syn 6. 504. 
5 1 . Moitt. Orn, DUL Bevjick's Br, Birds, 
Ft, 2. p, 306, 
T 
H I S is rather a larger fpecies than the common mallard ; 
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 ourcoafts, 
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 breafi: ; fhe lays from twelve to 
fixteen white eggs, thefe fhe alfo covers with down: during 
the time of incubation, which is about thirty days, the male 
bird is particularly afliduous in his attention^ keeping a ftridt 
watch from fome neighbouring eminence ; ihould any thing 
approach 
