236 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



the Shoveller are the rough marshy lands and swampy- 

 heaths in the vicinity of broads, meres, and sluggish, 

 weed-choked streams. Plantations of small trees and 

 belts of wooded country arc also resorted to if favourably 

 situated near to waters frequented by this species. The 

 Shoveller, if not exactly gregarious during the breeding 

 season, is certainly social, and several nests may be 

 found within a comparatively small area of suitable 

 ground. The nest is made in a variety of situations, in 

 a tuft of sedge, amongst coarse long grass on a bank, or 

 growing grain, or on dryer ground in heath. It is a 

 mere hollow, scantily lined with a little dry grass, sedge, 

 or dead leaves, and lined with a fair amount of down 

 and small feathers from the body of the female. The 

 bird is a close sitter, and when flushed from the eggs 

 makes little or no demonstration; the case is very 

 different, however, when the young are hatched. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Shoveller are from seven to fourteen in 

 number, nine or ten being an average clutch. They are 

 pale buffish-white with a faint tinge of olive-green (more 

 pronounced on some eggs than others), fine in texture, 

 and with some little polish. Average measurement, 2'0 

 inches in length, by i'5 inch in breadth. Incubation, 

 performed almost invariably by the female (in one case 

 at least the cock has been flushed from the eggs), lasts 

 according to Naumann from twenty-one to twenty-three 

 days. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Shoveller 

 require careful identification, for those of the Pintail 

 and the Mallard come very close in general appearance. 

 The down, however, is pretty characteristic, and should 

 prevent confusion, the tufts being of moderate size, 

 neutral dark gray with pale centres and very conspicuous 

 white tips. 



