244 DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



The Poachard (Fig. 91) is, next to that of the Common Wild 

 Duck, the variety which is most plentiful on our waters. It is 

 almost as large as the latter ; it makes its nest in the rushes round 

 pools or lakes, and feeds upon the roots of grasses and aquatic 

 plants, also on worms, mollusks, and small fish. They are 

 plentiful in the eastern counties south of the Humber, and in the 

 fen counties ; and it occurs in America, where, as Dr. Richardson 

 states, it breeds in all parts of the fur countries, from the fiftieth 

 parallel to their most northerly limits. Audubon found it abun- 

 dant in winter about New Orleans, in East Florida, and in Chesa- 

 peak Bay. " Although they dive much and to a great depth in 

 our bays and estuaries, yet, when in the shallow ponds of the 



Fig. 91. — Poachard {Anas feritia). 



interior, they prefer dabbling in the mud along the shores, much 

 in the manner of the Mallard." 



This bird reaches France in little flocks of twenty to forty in 

 the month of October. It can easily be caught in nets. 



The Shoveller. 



English Synonyms. — Blue-winged Shoveller: McGillivray. Common Sho- 

 veller : Selby, Jenyns. Shoveller : Montagu. 



Latin Synonyms. — Anas dypeata : Linn., Latham, Jenyns, Temminck. 

 Rhynchaspis : Bonaparte, McGillivray. 



French Synonyms. — Canard Souchet : Temminck. Bouge de Riviere : Figuier. 



The Shoveller (Fig. 92) is very common on the Seine and the 

 Marne, where it is called Rouge de Riviere. It is smaller than 

 the Common Wild Duck, and has a very long bill, with the upper 

 mandible of a semi-cylindrical shape, dilated at its extremity, 



