75 



SHOVELER. 



BROAD BILL. BLUE-WINGED SHOVELER. COMMON SHOVELER. 

 RED-BREASTED SHOVELER. SHOVELER DUCK. 



PLATE CXC. FIQ. I. 



Anas clypeata, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Spathulea clypeata, FLEMING. SELBT. 



BJiyncaspis clypeata, GOULD. 



THE nest of this species, built beside rivers, lakes, and other waters, 

 or in watery places, appears to be made of grass, commingled with 

 down from the bird itself. In some cases the bare earth or sand is 

 scarcely covered with any materials; in others, a tuft of grass is laid 

 in. After the female has begun to sit, she covers the eggs with down 

 plucked from her own body. 



The eggs are as many as eight, nine, ten, or twelve in number. 

 They are of a buff white colour, with a tinge of green. 



Incubation lasts three weeks. The young leave the nest almost 

 immediately after being hatched, and repair with their mother to the 

 water. 



These birds bred in the year 1854, in the gardens of the Zoologi- 

 cal Society, London. 



