SHOVELLER {Spatula clypeata). These 

 ducks are very easily identified, not only by 

 their unusual and attractive plumage, but 

 because of the comparatively large size of 

 their bills, which are much larger than 

 those of any other species in proportion to 

 the size of the bird. Shovellers, "Broad- 

 bills" or "Spoonbills," as they are perhaps 

 more often termed, have a very wide distri- 

 bution, being found in almost all parts of the 

 Northern Hemisphere. In our country, 

 they breed locally in the western and central 

 states and throughout Canada. 



Shovellers frequent fresh-water ponds and 

 lakes, especially where there are shallow bot- 

 toms well covered with vegetation. They 

 feed by "tipping-up," where they can reach 

 bottom, sifting the mud through the very 

 prominent strainers on the sides ot the bill, 

 and eating the many insects and small mol- 

 lusks so obtained. 



Their flight is quite swift and often a little 

 erratic. They appear larger than they really 

 are, for they have considerable spread and a 

 large head and bill to give an appearance of 

 size that does not exist in reality. Their 

 flesh is quite desirable and they are often 

 shot from blinds over decoys to which they 

 come very readily and with little fear. 



PINTAILS {Dafila acuta), "Sprig-tails" 

 or "Spike-tails," as they are about equally 

 often called, are quite unusual among ducks and easily identified because 

 they have such long slender necks and pointed tails, although the latter fea- 

 ture is shared with the Old-squaw. This also is a cosmopolitan species and 

 is found in both the Old World and the New. According to E. W. Nelson, 

 who has had unusual opportunities of watching their actions during the mat- 

 ing seasons, they are very playful, diving into the water when in full flight 

 and emerging also in flight, chasing one another about and occasionally 

 mounting high in the air to descend on set wings. They nest in Canada and 

 south to interior United States. In winter they are usually seen in small 

 flocks of their own kind, and seldom with other species. 



SHOVELLER ( v 

 PINTAIL ( $ 



12 



