all 
190 BIRD GALLERY. 
No. 144. SHOVELLER. (Spatula clypeata.) 
Though chiefly a winter visitor to the British Islands, a good many 
pairs remain to breed on some of the inland lakes and marshes, and the 
number of breeding-birds is yearly increasing. As a rule, this species 
frequents fresh water, feeding on mollusea, worms, and aquatic insects, 
as well as on grass and water-plants, and its flesh is much esteemed as 
food. ‘The deep nest of fine grass, lined with down, is generally placed 
is long grass or heather, and the eggs, when numerous, lie in two 
layers. They are of a pale greenish-buff colour, and vary in number 
from eight to fourteen. 
Norfolk, May. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham. 
No. 145. TUFTED DUCK. (Fuligula cristata.) 
Between autumn and spring this species is common about the coasts, 
estuaries and lakes of the British Islands, and is often found in company 
with flocks of other diving-ducks. It breeds in considerable numbers 
on many of the lakes and ponds throughout the kingdom, but is most 
numerous in Scotland. It feeds on aquatic plants and various kinds of 
animal-food, most of which is obtained by diving; and, as a rule, the 
flesh is indifferent eating. The nest, of dry grass lined with down, 
is concealed in a tuft of grass or sedge. From eight to thirteen 
greenish-buff eggs are laid about the end of May. 
Norfolk, June. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham. 
No. 146. POCHARD. (Nyroca ferina.) 
This species of diving-duck, often known as the Red-headed Poker 
or Dun-bird, is mainly a winter visitor to the British Islands, arriving 
in October and departing in spring, but a good many pairs remain to 
breed on some of our inland waters. While frequenting fresh water and 
feeding on the plants that grow below the surface, it is excellent eating, 
but after it has visited the sea, a dict of marine crustaceans and molluscs 
renders the flesh unpalatable. The nest is placed near the margin of 
some lake or pool, and consists of a layer of old dead flags surrounded 
