t)6 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Its habits on the whole do not differ from those of its well-known ally, 

 the Blue-wing. 



Mr. A. M. Shields regards it as common in the vicinity of Los 

 Angeles, where it breeds in great numbers ; nesting in the first week 

 of May. Its favorite breeding places are in fields of tall grass or clover, 

 in close proximity to water. He says the complement of eggs ranges 

 from nine to thirteen, and that the nest is so compactly woven of 

 grass, feathers and down that the entire structure may be picked up 

 without its coming apart. 



The eggs are creamy- white or pale buff; six to twelve ; one end 

 smaller than the other. 



Ten eggs collected by Dr. James C. Merrill, near Fort Klamath, 

 Oregon, June 14, 1887, exhibit the following dimensions: 1.90x1.38, 

 1.82x1.37, 1.88x1.39, 1.90 X 1.38, 1.92x1.39, 1.88x1.38, 1.85x1.40, 

 1.94 X 1.38, 1.89x1.36, 1.83 X 1.34; the average size is 1.88 x 1.38. 



The nest was built at the edge of a marsh ; it was made of grass 

 blades and stems, warmly lined with down. 



142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.) [608.] 



Shoveller. 



Hab. Northern Hemisphere. In North America. Breeding from Alaska to Texas. Not abundant 

 on the Atlantic coast. 



The Shoveller, or Spoonbill Duck, is common in the northern 

 portions of the globe. Said to have the most extended distribution of 

 any species of the duck tribe, being more or less common in every 

 portion of Europe and Asia, except in the extreme north ; is found in 

 Northern and Central Africa, and other portions of the tropical world. 

 It is not common in England, where it breeds sparingly, but is more 

 abundant in Scotland. 



In North America this peculiar-looking duck breeds throughout 

 its range in all suitable places ; it winters chiefly in the south. It may 

 easily be recognized by its broad bill, blue wing coverts and green 

 speculum. 



The iris is yellow and the feet bright orange. The Spoonbill 

 makes his nest on the ground in boggy places which are difficult of 

 access. It is composed of grass and weeds. 



The eggs are greenish-gray, or faintly bluish ; elliptical ; six to ten 

 in number; averaging in size about 2.10 by 1.50. 



143. Daflla acuta (Linn.) [605.] 



Pintail. 



Hab. Northern hemisphere. In America migrates south to Panama and Cuba. 



In North iVmerica the Pintail, or Sprig-tail, is a common species 

 everywhere, being found as far north as Greenland and the Arctic 



