70 
ANATIDiE. 
with pied plumage like that under consideration, often bearing 
the name of shell-duck. 
On all quarters of the coast this bird is at least occasionally 
met with, — is “ in considerable numbers in Dingle Bay,” and on 
the shores of Connemara, as well as elsewhere ; — it is not found 
in North America. Very rarely is it killed in a wild state on 
fresh water.* It is generally considered to be bad as food ; but 
a person of my acquaintance considers the flesh of the young bird, 
when just able to fly well, very good, while that of the old he 
regards as strong and having a heavy disagreeable smell. 
Males of this species vary much in size, increasing apparently 
until they attain the fullest maturity. The old birds of this sex 
are always, from their superior bulk to the others, singled out 
and fired at amidst a flock, by the wild-fowl shooters in Belfast 
Bay ; — they are sometimes as large as brent geese. The finest I 
have seen was one of seven birds killed here at a shot from a 
flock of eight. The knob at the base of the upper mandible, 
which is hard in winter, increases very much in spring, becoming 
then soft, fleshy, and filled with oily matter : at this season it is 
as figured by Bewick. 
A fine male shelldrake kept for some years at the Falls near 
Belfast, was extremely attractive, owing to his brilliant plumage, 
light graceful walk, and rapid flight. He became so domestic as 
never to leave the place, though his wings were freely used in fly- 
ing about it. He would take food from a personas hand, was a 
very bold bird, and could even master the tame swans. This he 
managed by alighting on their backs and buffeting them with 
his wings. The swans when so attacked did not attempt to re- 
taliate, but invariably made the best of their way from the tor- 
mentor. The peculiar and quick whistling call of this bird, heard 
at a considerable distance, was frequently uttered. He paired with 
the common duck, for two or three years successively, producing 
a beautiful progeny. Several others which were kept here never 
bred, either with their own species or with the common duck. 
* An immature male was shot on the river near Clonmel, January 19th, 1841. 
