Their Eggs and Nests. 221 



GADWALL— C^l;/^j- streperd). 



Rodge, Grey Duck. — A Duclc which occurs in no 

 very great numbers at any time ; mostly about the 

 end of the winter, or in spring ; and is not known to 

 breed commonly in any part of Europe. 



SHOVELLER— (5/^////^ clypeata ; iovm^vXy , Anas 

 clypeata). 



Blue-winged Shoveller, Broad-bill. — A very beauti- 

 fully plumaged bird indeed. But gaily feathered as 

 he is, and brilliant as is a part, at least, of the plumage 

 of all the male Ducks during a certain portion of the 

 year, yet it is remarkable that they all undergo a 

 change in this respect about the breeding time, just 

 the reverse of that which takes place in the males of 

 so many other birds at the same season. They become 

 more brilliant, or their colours deeper or richer 

 then : — the male Ducks duskier, plainer coloured, more 

 like the female in her more unobtrusive hues. The 

 Shoveller's bill is very remarkable, and, as I said of 

 the Oyster-catcher's, a study for all who admire the 

 works of Creation. It merits our notice for its adapta- 

 tion to its purposes, in a direction just opposite to 

 that which characterises the bill of the bird ju.st 

 named. Dilated at the sides so as almost to look 

 awkward, it is furnished with a large series of very 

 sensitive laminae or plates, such that the minute ob- 

 jects which form a considerable portion of the birds' 

 food may be instantly detected by the sense of touch, 

 and retained. It used to breed very commonly in 

 many parts of the kingdom, Norfolk and the Fen 



