SHELD — DRAKE.
SHELD-DRAKE.
TADORNA CORNUTA (S. G. Gmelin).
Anas tadorna, Linn. S. N. i. p. 195 (1766) ; Naum. xi.
p. 534.
Anas cornuta, S. G. Gmelin, Reise d. Russl. ii. p. 185, pi. 18
(1774).
Tadorna vulpanser, Macg. v. p. 22; Hewitson, ii. p. 397.
Tadorna cornuta, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 352 ; Dresser, vi. p. 451.
Le Tadorne, French; Brand-Ente, German; Rato tarro,
Spanish.
This handsome bird breeds in rabbit-burrows and
cavities in the sand on many parts of the coasts of
Scotland, England, and Ireland, and bears various
names in its various breeding-haunts. “ Burrow-Duck ”
is perhaps the most common of these local appellations ;
but I find in the 4th edition of Yarrell that it is also
known as “ Bar-Gander,” “ Stock-Annet,” and in Orkney
as “ Sly Goose.” To these I may add “ Sand-Goose ”
and “ Pied Duck.” In the winter many Sheld-Ducks
may be found on or off almost all the unfrequented sandy
shores of the three Kingdoms, either feeding on the
flats or riding at sea in small parties in fine weather at
a short distance from land. In my own experience
this bird seldom comes inland to any great distance
from salt water; but as many are now bred in a semi-
domesticated condition, and allowed the free use of