80 BRITISH BIRDS 
Nest. Usually near the sea, in holes, some feet long, either 
of a rabbit or burrowed by the bird. 
Occasionally some distance from the 
sea. Sometimes in holes among rocks 
or under bushes. Material: the 
ducks’ down and feathers mixed with 
grasses, moss, &c. Many pairs may 
y : 2 st nest in close proximity. 1 
o# PSs iggs. Usually 7-12. Creamy- 
“Fs @ white. Av. size, 2°57 x 1:84 in. Lay- 
Fig. 94. ing begins usually in May. One 
brood, 
162. Mallard or wild-duck [Anas platyrhyncha platyrhyncha 
Linnzus ; Anas boscas Linnseus]. Resident and generally 
distributed both near salt and fresh water. 
Bird. Length 23 in. Recognised by the glossy steel-blue 
speculum or wing-spot which is margined laterally with white 
and black. The drake—except from mid-June to mid- 
September—has the head and neck glossy green, with a white 
ring round the neck. The upcurled middle tail-feathers, the 
rump and tail-coverts are glossy black-green. Back brownish. 
Scapulars, lower breast and flanks greyish-white pencilled with 
fine grey wavy parallel lines or vermiculations. Forebreast a 
dark chestnut. From mid-June to mid-Sept. the drake assumes 
the “eclipse” plumage which resembles that of the duck, but 
with a more uniform coloration on the upper-parts. The duck 
is dark brown marked buff, and has not the middle tail-feathers 
upceurled. 
Nest. On the ground, usually near water, and usually in 
cover of some sort, rushes, long grass, tangled briars and 
herbage, hedges and the like. Sometimes away from water. 
Occasionally in trees, faggots, &c. Material: dry grass, moss 
and other material, lined with the bird’s down. 
Eggs. Usually 8-14. Greenish to buffish-grey. Occasionally 
with a blue tint. Av. size, 221x161 in. Laying begins 
usually March-April, sometimes earlier and later. One brood. 
163. Shoveler [Spatula clypeata (Linneus)]. Resident, but 
local. Scarce in Wales. Frequents usually fresh water. 
Bird. Length 20 in. Recognised by the large dusky- 
coloured spatulate beak (see Fig. 95), by the speculum or wing- 
spot, which is glossy green (duller in the female) bordered in 
front with a broad and behind with a narrow white stripe 
and by the wing-coverts, blue in the drake, grey-blue in the 
duck, in both conspicuous. The drake has the head and neck 
dark glossy green, followed on. the forebreast by white con- 
ress upwards round the neck and on to the scapulars. 
