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THE COMMON SHEILDRAKE. 
Tadoma Belonii. 
PLATE II. 
Anas tadoma, Linn, dec . — Tadoma vulpanser, Flen t. Selby, 
dec .—- Canard tadome, Temm . — Slieildrake or Common 
Sheildrake of British authors. 
We have preferred the specific name of “ Belonii” for 
the Sheildrake to that of “ Vulpanser,” lest it should 
mislead, it being apparent that that name was an- 
ciently applied to the Egyptian goose previously 
described. In the full adult state of this bird, from 
the decided markings of clear white, reddish orange, 
and black, it is one of our most beautiful and clean- 
looking ducks. It is, we believe, a truly maritime 
species, or a shore duck, being seldom or never seen 
far inland, nor frequenting fresh waters, except during 
the season of incubation. At that season it is 
common, and frequents most of the British shores, 
where there is an extent of flat common or warren, 
or undulating land free from cover, and where the 
shore in addition is low and sandy. These are its 
frequent haunts, but we have met with it also where 
the sandy shore had a precipitous boundary covered 
