344 THE BIEDS OF SUSSEX. 



potatoes left in the fields. It seldom dives^ except when 

 pursued by a dog or sporting Ayitli its fellows^ when it 

 frequently rises at a great distance from the spot where it 

 went down. The old Drake, in confinement, often becomes 

 very tyrannical. 



GADWALL. 



Anas strepera. 



The Gadwall is a rare bird in Sussex and does not generally 

 affect the salt water, but the marshes along the coast, 

 selecting much the same food as the Mallard. It breeds in 

 some of the English counties, but has not yet been known to 

 do so in Sussex, During the day it conceals itself among 

 the reeds, coming forth to feed at night. It does not dive. 

 I have a note that an adult male was shot at Amberley in 

 March 1845. In Yarrell (B. B. vol. iv. p. 373) the nest is 

 described as made of grass, lined with down, placed in a dry 

 spot at some little distance from the water. Mr. Knox says 

 that it has been occasionally shot at Pagham, and at Shore- 

 ham. A. female was shot by Mr. Burra in Pett Level, and pre- 

 served by Mr. Bristow, who thinks it was in November 1881. 



SHOVELER, SPOONBILL DUCK, or 

 BROADBILL. 



Spatula clypeata. 



This very handsome species visits our coast and marshes in 

 the Avinter, and is not very uncommon. The nest has not been 

 found in this county, though a few have bred in many others. 



