The True Ducks. 251 



the falling rain with their spoon-shaped 

 bills as it, for the moment, lay on their 

 somewhat cup-shaped backs. I never 

 remarked this habit in other species of 

 duck. Shovellers are poor divers when 

 wounded. The feet are peculiarly small, 

 and give but weak propelling power to the 

 body. The foot of a Shoveller is smaller 

 in proportion to its body than that of any 

 of the true ducks. The larger the foot in 

 the duck tribe the better they can dive. 

 . . . When feeding the bird swims swiftly 

 along the water, skimming the surface 

 with its broad bill, quickly opening and 

 closing it, and causing a loud rippling 

 noise that may be heard many paces 

 distant." 



Mr. Seebohm, writing of the nesting 

 habits of this species, says : 



" The Shoveller is a somewhat late 

 breeder ; eggs are seldom found in this 

 country before the middle of May, and 

 in high latitudes not until the middle of 

 June. During pairing-time the males may 

 constantly be seen chasing the females, 

 and until the female begins to sit she is 

 generally followed by several males every 

 time she leaves her nest ; but the Shoveller 

 cannot be regarded as a polyandrous bird 

 like the Cuckoo. Each female appears to 



