250 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



coverts black. Legs, toes, and webs reddish-orange ; 

 claws black. 



The female differs considerably from the male, 

 having her head and neck mottled with two shades 

 of brown ; the feathers on the upper surface of the 

 body are dark brown in the centre, bordered with 

 a lighter shade of the same colour. Under-parts 

 of the body pale brown. 



Situation and Locality. In tufts of grass, rushes, 

 and heath beside sluggish rivers, lakes, broads, 

 tarns, and swampy heaths, in favourable situations 

 on the eastern coast of England ; also in Scotland 

 and Ireland. Our illustration is from a photograph 

 taken in Norfolk. 



Materials. The little hollow chosen is lined with 

 sedges and dead leaves, dry grass, and, as incubation 

 advances, down. The tufts are of a dark neutral 

 grey colour, lighter in the centre and tipped with 

 white. They and the female form reliable dis- 

 tinctions. 



Eggs. Seven to ten, or occasionally fourteen, 

 buffish- white, tinged with green, unspotted, and 

 slightly polished. Closely resemble those of the 

 Mallard and Pintail. Size about 2'0 by 1-5 in. 



Time. May. 



Remarks. Resident and migratory, being more 

 numerous in winter than in summer. Notes : quack, 

 uttered in deeper tones by the male ; when flying, 

 puck, puck. Local and other names : Broad Bill, 

 Blue-winged Shoveller. Sits closely. 



SHRIKE, RED-BACKED. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 seven and a half inches ; bill rather short, hooked 



