248 BRITISH BIRDS' NEST*. 



the bird's own body. The tufts are lavender-grey, 

 mixed with a few white ones. 



Eggs. Six to sixteen, generally ten to twelve ; 

 white, slightly tinged with cream colour. Size about 

 2'7 by 1*9 in. Nest distinguished by down-tufts. 



Time. -April, May, and June. 



Remarks. Besident. Notes : male call, a deep 

 I'orr-liorr ; female, a loud quack. Local and other 

 names : Sly Goose, Bargander, Burgander, Burrow 

 Duck, Skeeling Goose, Common Shieldrake, Skel- 

 goose. The nest is very difficult to find ; but a 

 good way to accomplish this is to look out for 

 footprints in the sand at the entrance to likely 

 holes, also to watch the movements of the male 

 during flight, and any suspected hole morning and 

 evening when the birds leave and enter. I have 

 generally been astir at three o'clock in the morning 

 for that purpose, and the subject of our picture 

 was discovered not long after that hour by the 

 aid of my binoculars. Sits closely. 



SHOVELLER. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 twenty inches. Bill rather long, narrow in the 

 middle, and widening towards the tip, nearly 

 straight, and leaden grey. Irides yellow. Head 

 and upper part of neck deep glossy green, lower 

 part of neck white. Back, in the centre, blackish- 

 brown, the feathers being edged with a lighter 

 tint. Lesser wing-coverts light blue, greater white ; 

 scapulars white, quills brownish-black. The speculum, 

 or glos>y patch upon the wing, is green. Eump, 

 upper tail-coverts, and tail-feathers brownish-black. 

 Breast and belly chestnut ; vent white ; under tail- 



