308 FEATHERED GAME 



life are ''sink-boxes," ''gun-punts," "ten- 

 bores," and duck-calls. 



These kill much easier than do most ducks, — 

 No. 8 shot is plenty large enough for them — 

 and they are worthy of a place on any man's 

 table when well cooked, or in his cabinet when 

 properly stuffed — the two principal reasons 

 for their rapid decrease in our streams and 

 marshes. 



These, too, are said to thrive well under do- 

 mestication, though rather less hardy than the 

 ' ' green-wings. ' ' 



THE SHOVELER, OR SPOONBILL DUCK. 



(Spatula cl3^eata.) 



The Spoonbill Duck is less hardy than the 

 average of our waterfowl, preferring more 

 southern latitudes. It is a species of wide dis- 

 persion, having its representatives in nearly 

 every quarter of the world. 



This duck is mainly a dweller in the fresh 

 water, only rare stragglers visiting the ocean 

 and then mostly in the migrations. One of the 

 most graceful among the waterfowl and a very 

 beautiful bird is the Shoveler. Its flight is 



