42 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



greyish blue, the legs and irides brown. Length, 185 ins. 

 Wing, io'5 ins. Tarsus, i'5 ins. 



ShoYeler. Spatula dypeata (Linn.). 



The handsome Shoveler (Plate 19) is increasing as a resi- 

 dent in all parts of our islands, though still rare in English and 

 Welsh counties ; recently it has begun to nest regularly in 

 fresh localities, and in certain Welsh bogs is now plentiful. As 

 a passage migrant and winter visitor it is common on many 

 inland waters. Its range is Avide, practically Holarctic, and in 

 winter it reaches tropical Africa, southern Asia, and South 

 America. 



The long, broad, spatulate bill of the Shoveler, from which it 

 gets a local name, " Spoonbill," is its most noticeable feature ; 

 but the blufif white breast of the drake, followed by rich 

 chestnut on the lower breast and belly, make it a conspicuous 

 bird, even on a pool crowded with other fowl. A nearer view 

 reveals a glossy green head and neck, light blue shoulders, 

 and, a rare character of surface-feeders, a yellow eye. Except 

 for her blue shoulders, duller than those of her mate, the 

 mottled brown duck differs little from the female Mallard, but 

 the slimmer, long-necked Ivlallard should never be confused 

 with the stocky, short-necked, big-billed Shoveler, which, even 

 when at rest, floats down in the bows, and with its heavy bill 

 resting on its breast. From March to May, when the passage 

 birds are bound north, and again from August to November, 

 the numbers are greatest ; far more pass through our islands 

 than remain to nest or winter. Britain is its half-way house, a 

 food-providing hostelry ; April and September are the busiest 

 months. Though its wings move with great rapidity the flight 

 of the Shoveler is neither so swift nor strong as that of the 

 Mallard ; the flying bird looks what it is, heavy and unwieldy. 

 Yet the flight is not always straight ; the Shoveler will swoop 



