238 BIRDS. 



Pheasant," by which it is often known. It is frequently 

 found in company with widgeon. Its food consists largely 

 of water-insects and shell-fish. It is known to breed some- 

 what freely with the mallard. The nest, rather deeper 

 than that of most ducks, is otherwise similar. Eggs, 7 to 

 10, 2 inches; pale green, and of elongated form. 



The Shoveller, or "Spoonbill," may, in both sexes, be 

 distinguished by the spoon-like bill. It breeds in several 



parts of Ireland, also locally in Scotland as far 

 t Shoveller. 1 r , T rr V -j r , -, , 



as the Inner Hebrides. Its breeding-places in 



England are few, and are confined to the eastern sea-board. 

 This duck consumes more insect food than most. The nest 

 is on dry ground near water. Eggs t 8 to 12, 2 inches; 

 pale green. 



The Teal, smallest of our ducks, breeds in many parts of 

 the British Islands, chiefly in the northern counties and 

 Scotland, but also as far south as the Thames 

 valley. It is easily recognised by the con- 

 spicuous green patch behind the eye, the brown stripe 

 down the centre of the forehead, and the numerous black 

 spots on the breast. The food of the teal consists largely 

 of vegetable matter, but insects are also consumed. It 

 is remarkable for a devotion to its young that is by 

 no means characteristic of all ducks. The nest, in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of water, is like those of the 

 rest. Eggs, 8 to 12, i^ inch; brownish white. 



American Green-winged Teal. A very rare straggler, 

 which has occurred but thrice in Devon, Hampshire, and 

 Yorkshire, though the bird is omitted, whether intention- 

 ally I do not know, from Clarke's list in his and Roebuck's 

 'Yorkshire Vertebrata.' 



Blue-winged Teal. Another American straggler, which 

 has occurred once only in Scotland. 



1 Not to be confused with the true Spoonbill, also known as 

 ' ' shoveller. " 



