She'l'drake, n.

noun

n. [Prov. Eng. sheld, variegated, and drake.] (Ornith.) A species of duck (Tadorna vulpanser), somewhat resembling a goose in its shape, and found in Europe. It has a green or greenish-black head, and its body is variegated with white. It is much esteemed for food.

☞ The American goosander is also called by this name. The ruddy sheldrake is the Tadorna rutila.

An engraved illustration of a sheldrake standing among reeds. — Sheldrake.