DUCKS 243 



SHOVELER. Anas clypeata (Linnaeus). PI. 28, figs. 3, 

 4, 4a. Length, 22 in. ; bill, 275 in. ; wing, 10-25 in. ; 

 tarsus, 1-4 in. 



A spring and autumn migrant, occasionally re- 

 maining to breed. The nest is reported to have 

 been found in Haddingtonshire, Elgin, Kirkcud- 

 brightshire (Zool, 1880, p. 406), and Dumbarton- 

 shire ; in Northumberland, Durham, Statfordshire, 

 Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Kent, and Dorsetshire. 

 Yarrell states that it formerly bred in Romney 

 Marsh ; and Hewitson, in his " Eggs of British 

 Birds," mentions Hornsea Mere as a former nesting- 

 place. The drake incubates, and the young are 

 kept from the water till grown up, like Sheld- 

 drakes [Zool., 1886, p. 364), In the summer of 

 1889 I saw a nest of the Shoveler at Rainworth, 

 Notts — the drake flying round in circles at the 

 distance of about twenty yards — and young broods 

 at Stanford Mere, West Norfolk, in 1885. 



In Ireland the Shoveler is resident, and, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Ussher, increasing ; breeding in every 

 province in small numbers. 



Weight, 1 lb. 8 oz. to 1 lb. 12 oz. 



PINTAIL. Anas acuta (Linnseus). PI. 28, figs. 12, 13. 

 Length, 26 to 28 in. ; bill, 2 in. ; wing, 11 in. ; tarsus, 

 1-85 in. 



A regular winter visitant in small numbers, a 

 few remaining to breed in favourable localities. 



Thus in Northumberland the late John Hancock 



