PLATE C. 
The Sheldrake^ 
Is reduced for the convenience of the plate. The bird from which this was taken meafured 
fixteen inches from the point of the bill to the tip of the tail ; fourteen inches round the breaft ; 
and from the pinion to the tip of the longeft feather, thirteen inches. 
Buffbn fays, it is an inhabitant of the northern world, as far as Iceland. They ufually breed in 
deferted rabbit holes, lay fifteen or fixteen roundifh white eggs, and fit about thirty days. Latham 
fays, " they are very careful of their young, and will carry them from place to place in their bills." 
They (hew much inftinftive cunning in preferving them when they are attempted to be caught ; they 
will fly along the ground as if wounded, till the brood are got into a place of fecurity. Their great 
beauty has induced many unfuccefsful attempts to domellicate them ; but they never thrive, unlefs in 
the neighbourhood of fait water. The eggs are thought good, but the flefli of the bird is rank and- 
unfavory. 
No. XXXIV. 
Xx 
