196 THE SHELDUCK AND SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS 



26th August (cf. Clarke, Studies in Bird Migration, 1912, vol. i. p. 160). On the 

 east coast of Great Britain it is decidedly scarce, and it is surprising that its autumn 

 and winter visits to Kent have not become more frequent with the increase of the 

 species in Norfolk (cf . Ticehurst, B. of Kent, 1909, p. 350). On the west of Scotland 

 it is more often recorded, and it appears to be comparatively numerous in some 

 places. But in Dumfriesshire it has only been recorded on two occasions (cf. 

 Gladstone, B. of Dumfries., 1910, p. 268), while it is rare (chiefly recorded in 

 December) in North Wales (cf. Forrest, Fauna N. Wales, 1907, p. 277). To 

 Ireland it is a scarce winter visitor to all parts, very irregular as to locality but 

 perhaps most frequent on the west (cf. Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, 

 p. 192 ; and Saunders, III. Man. B. B., 2nd ed., 1899, p. 425). As a migrant 

 it is usually recorded as being in small parties. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. The nest is placed on the ground, generally in a 

 dry place, but not far from water, and is partly concealed by clumps of rushes, 

 grass, heather, etc., or in some cases under shelter of a bush. Dry grasses are 

 the chief material used in forming the nest, and a plentiful supply of down is 

 added, which is very dark with small lighter centres and distinct greyish white 

 tips : the duck builds. (Pis. U and LXVI.) Noble describes the nest feathers as 

 " small, light in colour, with irregular darker markings in the centre, but lighter 

 towards the tips." The eggs range from 8 to 13 in number, and are huffish white 

 in colour, without any tinge of green. Average size of 100 eggs, 2'05 x 1'56 in. 

 [52'2x39'6 mm.]. (PL T.) Incubation is performed by the duck alone, and lasts 

 26 days according to Heinroth. Nahlik's estimate of 21 days is probably too low. 

 The average time for full clutches seems to be about the second or third week of 

 May, but fresh eggs may be obtained till the end of the month, and in Iceland 

 early in June. Only one brood is reared during the season. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Aquatic insects and their larvae, small fresh-water Crustacea 

 and water-snails, small frogs, worms, and occasionally moths and butterflies ; seeds 

 and leaves of aquatic plants, and, in India, rice. The young feed on insects and 

 their larvae, and are accompanied in the search for food by the female, [w. P. P.] 



SHOVELER [Spatula clypedta (Linnaeus). Spoonbill, broadbill, rattlewing ; 

 Britannia (Moray). French, souchet ; German, Loffel-Ente ; Italian, 

 cucchiarone], 



I. Description. The shoveler may at all ages, save in the downy stages, 

 be distinguished by the great breadth of the beak and the length of the horny 



