RUDDY SHIELDRAKE. 
399 
NA TA TORES. 
A NA TIDAL 
RUDDY SHIELDRAKE. 
Tadorna rutila. 
PLATE CXII. FIG. I. 
There is sufficient and trustworthy evidence of this 
species having several times been killed in this country 
to entitle it to the distinction of being called a British 
bird. It is met with in various parts of Europe, and is 
abundant upon the margins of some of the Russian 
rivers. Latham tells us that it breeds on the banks of the 
Wolga; and Temminck says that it builds its nest in the 
holes of the rocks which bound some of the great Russian 
rivers, in hollow trees, as well as in the deserted holes of 
other animals upon their banks. Mr. Walters* large and 
valuable collection contains a series of the eggs of this 
species; but as they so completely resemble eggs of our 
own well-known bird, I have not thought it necessary to 
draw a separate figure, but have made the same suffice 
as a representative of both. 
D D 
