58 



SHOVELER. 



BROAD BI],L. BLUF.-WINGED SHOVELER. COMMON SHOVELER. 

 RED-BREASTED SHOVELER. SHOVELER DUCK. 



PLATE CXC. FIG. I. 



Anas clyfeata, . . . Pennant. Montagu. 

 Spathidea clypeata, . . . Fleming. Selby. 

 Uliyncasjiis clypeata, . . GrOULD. 



The nest of this species, built beside rivers, lakes^ 

 and other waters, or in vv^atery places, appears to be 

 made of grass, commingled with down from the bird 

 itself. In some cases the bare earth or sand is scarcely 

 covered with any materials; in others, a tuft of grass 

 is laid in. After the female has begun to sit, she 

 covers the eggs with down plucked from her own body. 



The eggs are as many as eight, nine, ten, or twelve 

 in number. They are of a buff white colour, with a 

 tinge of green. 



Incubation lasts three weeks. The young leave the 

 nest almost immediately after being hatched, and repair 

 with their mother to the water. 



These birds bred in the year 1854, in the gardens 

 of the Zoological Society, London. 



