54 klRD GALLERY. 



No. 144. SHOVELER. (Spatula clypeata.) 

 Though chiefly a winter visitor to the British Islands, a good many 

 pairs remain to breed on some of the inland lakes and marshes, and the 

 number of breeding-birds is yearly increasing. As a rule, this species 

 frequents fresh water, feeding on mollusca, worms, and aquatic insects, 

 as well as on grass and water-plants, and its flesh is much esteemed as 

 food. The deep nest of fine grass, lined with down, is generally placed 

 in long grass or heather, and the eggs, when numerous, lie in two 

 layers. They are of a pale greenish-buff colour, and vary in number 

 from eight to fourteen. 



Norfolk, May. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 145. TUFTED DUCK. 



(Fuligula fuligula or F. cristata.) 



Between autumn and spring this species is common about the coasts, 

 estuaries and lakes of the British Islands, and is often found in company 

 with flocks of other diving-ducks. It breeds in considerable numbers 

 on many of the lakes and ponds throughout the kingdom, but is most 

 numerous in Scotland. It feeds on aquatic plants and various kinds of 

 animal-food, most of which is obtained by diving; and, as a rule, the 

 flesh is indifferent eating. The nest, of dry grass lined with down, 

 is concealed in a tuft of grass or sedge. From eight to thirteen 

 greenish-buff eggs are laid about the end of May. 



Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 14-6. POCHARD. (Nyroca ferina.) 



This species of diving-duck, often known as the Red-headed Poker 

 or Dun-bird, is mainly a winter visitor to the British Islands, arriving 

 in October and departing in spring, but a good many pairs remain to 

 breed on some of our inland waters. While frequenting fresh water and 

 feeding on the plants that grow below the surface, it is excellent eating, 

 but afier it has visited the sea, a diet of marine crustaceans and molluscs 

 renders the flesh unpalatable. The nest is placed near the margin of 

 some lake or pool, and consists of a layer of old dead flags surrounded 



