248 Manual of the Game Birds of India. 



The Shoveller, however common it 

 may be, is generally found in small parties, 

 keeping to themselves, and not joining 

 in the movements of the neighbouring 

 parties. It is particularly tame and con- 

 fiding, and is not easily driven away from 

 its favourite haunts. It frequents pieces 

 of water of all sizes, less frequently the 

 banks of rivers, and seldom or never 

 the sea-coast. It is generally found on 

 shallow water and near the banks, for, 

 as may be judged from the shape of its 

 bill, it is essentially a sifter of mud. In 

 India, it is decidedly a coarse feeder, and 

 is often found in filthy water. Its flesh is 

 consequently of very inferior quality. In 

 England, however, Mr. Stevenson tells us 

 that the flesh is excellent, and only inferior 

 eating when killed out of season or in 

 brackish marshes. Shovellers do not fly 

 so swiftly as many of the True Ducks ; 

 they swim slowly, and they seldom dive. 

 Wounded birds are very tenacious of 

 life, and give much trouble before they 

 are captured. Mr. E. T. Booth in his 

 " Rough Notes " records an instance of a 

 Shoveller having its skull fractured and 

 a portion of the brain protruding, but, 

 nevertheless, recovering in the course of 

 a few weeks. This Duck appears to 



