422 iS A r ATOKES. J3 1 UD S. An ATiU Ai . 
wliite plumage, and elegant form, the surfaces of 
much frequented by water-fowl, and covered with nets 
our lakes, rivers, and ornamental waters. It is the 
supported upon hoops. The birds are enticed or 
only species that permanently resides in this country, 
driven into these canals by means of decoy ducks, 
where, however, it is generally met with in a half- 
trained to come to a whistle, and assisted by equally 
domesticated condition. This bird has the extreme 
well-trained spaniels. The fowlers are concealed by 
tip of the upper mandible and its edges, and a patch 
means of reed-screens, so disposed that they may be 
at the base of the bill extending to the eye, and 
seen by the birds which have advanced beyond them 
occupying a large tubercle in front of the forehead. 
into the decoy, and which are thus caused to give up 
black ; the rest of the bill is orange-yellow. During 
all thoughts of retreat; they consequently push forward 
the breeding season the swans live in pairs, each pair 
to avoid the dog and his master, until they reach the 
keeping to its own part of the water, and at this time 
terniination of the canal, which gradually grows nar- 
the male becomes exceedingly tierce, attacking any 
rower, and ends in what is called a tunnel net capable 
animal that intrudes upon his domains. The nest is 
of being detached from the main net of the decoy as 
formed of a mass of reeds, rushes, and other plants, 
soon as it is filled with birds. These are then taken 
and is placed close to the edge of the water, or 
out and killed by the fowlers. 
amongst the plants growing upon some stnall bank 
THE SHIELDEAKE ( Tadorna Vulpanser) is a well- 
which is hardly above the surface. The eggs are six 
known species on the British coasts, where it resides 
or sev’en in number. When hatched the young birds 
throughout the year, but is most abundant in the winter. 
accompany their parents into the water, and occasion- 
It is an exceedingly handsome bird, having the head 
ally the mother will even take her family upon her 
and upper part of the neck deep greqn, the lower part 
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b:ick and swim along with them, apparenllv with the 
of the neck white, and below this a broad annular 
view of relieving them from the necessitj’’ of making 
hand of chestnut ; the back and lower surface are white. 
way against the stream. The whole family remains 
the latter with a dark-brown band along the middle ; 
together throughout the winter, and in the summer 
the scapulars and part of the tertials are black, and 
or autumn the owners of the swans put a particular 
the primaries dark brown. The bill is of a vermilion 
mark upon the bills of the young birds, produced bj' 
colour. The length of the biid is rather more than 
those belonging to them. IMany of these marks are 
two feet. On some parts of our coast the Shieldrakes 
very curious ; representations of a considerable num- 
regularly breed in the rabbit burrows, whence they 
ber, with interesting historical details, will be found 
are known as Burrow Ducks. 
in Mr. Yarrell’s “ History of British Birds.” 
THE SHOVELLER {Spatula cii/peata), another Bri- 
THE BLACK SWAH {Cygnm atratus). — Amongst the 
tish species, is an inhabitant of the northern parts 
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species of Swans none is more remarkable than the 
of both hemispheres, breeding chiefly in the extreme 
Black Swan, from the com[)lete exception which it 
north. It is easily distinguished by the great 
makes to the ordinarily white colour of these birds. 
width of the extremity of the bill, from which its 
This species, which is an inhabitant of various parts 
names of Shoveller and Broad-bill are derived; the 
of New Holland, and has even given its name to the 
upper mandible is terminated with a rather strongly- 
colony of Swan Tliver in Western Australia, is of a 
hooked nail. This bird inhabits inland marshes, lakes. 
black colour, with the exception of the wing-quills, 
and rivers, seeking its animal food in the mud and 
which are white, and the lower part of the belly, which 
shallow water. It also feeds to a considerable extent 
is of an ash colour. I'he bill is orange red, and the 
upon grass and other vegetable matters. 
feet are brownish. The Black Swan is nearly as large 
THE PINTAIL DUCK {Dajila acuta) resembles the 
as the common species, but appears to be rather inferior 
preceding species in its wide distribution, and is a 
to it in strength. 
winter visitor to Biitain. The male has the central 
THE WILD DUCK {Anas Boschcis), of which the male 
tail-feathers much elongated and black. In its habits 
is known as the Mallard, is an abundant species in this 
it resembles the shoveller. It is frequently taken with 
country, and was formerly much more numerous here, 
the common wild duck and other allied species in the 
before the fens and marshes were so generally drained. 
decoys, and its flesh is in high esteem. 
A few pairs remain here through the summer ; but the 
THE TEAL {Querquedula Crecca) is one of the 
majority resort to high northern latitudes to breed, and 
smallest species of ducks, measuring only fourteen 
visit us in large flocks at the approach of winter. The 
inches in length. It is found all over the northern 
Wild Duck frequents marshy places and the borders of 
parts of the Eastern hemisphere, but does not extend 
rivers and lakes, where it finds an abundant supply of 
its range to America, where its ])lace is taken by 
nourishment in the form of worms, insects, and mol- 
another species. In this country it is a winter visitor. 
lusca, except in very severe winters, when it is forced 
although a few pairs remain here to breed. 
to resort to estuaries in search of food and open water. 
THE WIDGEON {Mareca penelope), another well- 
In a wild state it always pairs ; but the domestic ducks. 
known British duck, is a winter visitor to our islands. 
which are derived from this species, are polygamous 
THE POCHARD {Aythya ferina). — Besides the pre- 
in their habits. 
ceding ducks, which are chiefly inhabitants of the fresh 
As the flesh of the Wild Duck is exceedingly good. 
waters, there is a considerable number of nearly-allied 
it is captured in great quantities during the winter 
species, which haunt the sea-shore, and may be regarded 
season, sometimes by means of the gun, and sometimes 
as marine ducks. Of these the Pochard, which is one 
by peculiar traps known as decoys. These consist of 
of the best known, is found both inland and on the 
long-curved canals, leading out of a piece of water 
coast. The Pochard measures nearly twenty inches in 
