THE SHOVELER 227 



fond of aquatic insects of all kinds, catching such as fly with wonderful 

 dexterity. But it is no less skilful in the capture of aquatic insects 

 such as are obliged to come frequently to the surface for air. Millais 

 describes the zeal which is displayed in taking the latter, and the 

 keenness of sight which is necessary for success. A bird which he 

 kept under observation during one of these insect forays manifested 

 the greatest excitement. The victim was detected long before it 

 reached the surface, and was seized the moment the ascent was 

 completed by a headlong rush along the water. Having effected a 

 capture, it would return to its resting-place and watch for more, rest- 

 lessly working its neck backwards and forwards as if preparing for its 

 next sally. Occasionally it would grow furiously excited, turning its 

 head swiftly now this way and now that, as if it saw beetles if such 

 they were in every direction. At other times it will feed from the 

 bottom of the stream after the manner of its tribe, by a semi-dive, the 

 body being half-submerged till only the hinder half remains visible, 

 the tail pointing directly skywards. On the wing it must be described 

 as active and powerful, rising almost perpendicularly into the air like 

 a teal ; and with a rattling of the wings sufficiently loud to have 

 earned the name of " rattle-wings." Like the teal it is fond of taking 

 " headers " towards the water and sweeping upward again ; but when 

 fairly launched on the wing its flight recalls that of the wigeon. 



Having regard to current theories on the significance of 

 resplendent coloration among birds, it is something of a surprise to 

 find that the courtship of the shoveler is a very tame affair ; on neither 

 side, indeed, is there any marked demonstrativeness. The drake, it 

 seems, swims up to the female uttering a low, guttural croak " konk, 

 konk " and elevating his head and neck, and jerking his bill upwards. 

 She bows in recognition of the greeting, then both swim round in 

 circles, one behind the other, meanwhile passing water rapidly 

 through their beaks. At other times he indulges in aerial flights. 

 Indeed, Mr. Millais remarks that during the courting season they 

 spend more time in the air than any of the other ducks, beating up 



