DUCKS 207 



of thick reed-beds and the like may occasionally be 

 overlooked by the dogless sportsman, the services of a 

 keen-nosed spaniel often being requisite to flush it. No 

 doubt Gadwalls sometimes remain unidentified by reason 

 of their resemblance to the female of the common wild- 

 duck. However, the white wing-patch of the Gad wall 

 at once sets aside all doubts with those aware of this 

 prominent feature. The male Gadwall will weigh from 

 2 Ib. to close upon 2 J Ib. ; length, 20 in. ; the female is 

 both smaller and lighter. 



THE SHOVELLER, Anas clypeata, is fairly well dis- 

 tributed throughout these islands, though it can scarcely 

 be termed a common species anywhere. It breeds regu- 

 larly, in small numbers, in several parts of Great Britain, 

 most frequently in the eastern counties of England, and in 

 Ireland. Though oftenest found upon fresh water, this 

 duck frequently resorts to the muddy creeks and grass- 

 fringed foreshores along the coast. It feeds upon the 

 plant and insect life found in those situations ; also upon 

 snails, worms and shrimps, and is excellent as a table 

 bird. The adult male Shoveller in spring plumage is one 

 of the handsomest of our wild-ducks, the head and upper 

 neck being green, breast and fore-back white, wings with 

 shoulders pale slaty-blue and green speculum, and belly 

 rich chestnut ; this striking colour effect being heightened 

 by black under tail-coverts, yellow eyes, reddish-orange 

 feet and legs and lead-coloured bill. The female 

 Shoveller is a plain bird in comparison, being soberly 

 clad in brown, much after the manner of the female of 

 the Mallard. Apart from all else, the bill of the 

 Shoveller serves to distinguish it from the other ducks, 

 for it is of considerable length and dilates laterally to- 

 wards the point into a spoon-like form. This causes the 



