The Ducks. 
i39 
The Sheld-Ducks are easily recognised by their peculiar style 
SHEI D DUCK ° f coloration ’ and V the fact th at the sexes are alike. The shape 
(Tadorna tadoma.) of the bil1 is quite characteristic, and the birds hold an inter- 
mediate position between the Geese and the True Ducks. 
The Common Sheld-Duck is a very handsome bird, and is easily told by its 
varied plumage, including its bright chestnut breast and chestnut inner secondaries, 
while the wing-speculum is metallic green. The bill is bright carmine, as is also 
the knob or shield at its base; this knob is not observed in the female, which is 
slightly duller in colour than the male. The Sheld-Duck nests in many parts of 
Great Britain, wherever suitable localities are found, and it is also found breedin 
in many Irish counties. It is also found in Northern and Western Europe, an 
again in South-eastern Europe, 
whence it extends to Central Asia 
and Mongolia. The nest is generally 
placed in the sand-dunes, into which 
the bird tunnels for a considerable 
depth, sometimes as far as twelve 
feet. It is found in a chamber at 
the end of the tunnel and is formed 
of the bird’s white down. The 
eggs are from seven to twelve in 
number, and are dull creamy-white, 
with scarcely any gloss ; they are 
about two-and-a-half inches in length. 
This bird dif- 
THE RUDDY c t 
ters from the 
SHELD-DUCK. 
„ Common Sheld- 
(C asarca casarca.) 
Duck in being of 
The Sheld-Duck. 
The Ruddy Sheld-Duck. 
a nearly uniform tawny-chestnut 
colour, with a bronze-green speculum 
on the wing, and a black collar round the neck. This collar is wanting in the female, 
which is smaller and somewhat duller in colour than the male. The Ruddy Sheld-Duck 
is an occasional visitor to Great Britain, but sometimes arrives in large numbers, as in 
the summer of 1892. It is found in Europe in the Mediterranean countries, whence it 
extends eastwards to Central Asia and Mongolia. It breeds in holes in cliffs, often at a 
great height. It also nests on the ground, or in a burrow, and sometimes in the old 
nest of a Bird of Prey. The eggs are from nine to sixteen in number, creamy white, 
with very little gloss; they measure about two-and-three-quarter inches in length. 
The shape of the bill, which is flattened and widened out at 
the end, easily distinguishes this Duck from all other British 
THE SHOVELLER. 
(Spatula clypcata.) 
species. The male is a handsomely coloured bird, with a green 
crq 
