134 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xv. 



The Gadwall {Attas strepera). 



Female. — Down. First juvenile plumage. As in the 

 Garganey I have been unable to examine specimens in second 

 juvenile plumage, but specimens from breeding places show 

 the same characters as Garganey and it does not seem difficult 

 to distinguish between first and later nuptial plumages. The 

 rest of the moults of the female Gadwall are the same as in 

 the female Garganey or other surface-feeding ducks. Of this 

 species comparatively few specimens have been examined. 



Male. — Down. First juvenile plumage. During the 

 moult into first nuptial plumage, commencing in the bird's 

 first autumn, many traces of a second juvenile plumage 

 are visible in the few specimens examined (from Iceland and 

 one from Greenland). After the nuptial plumage follows 

 the post nuptial or eclipse and after this again a new nuptial 

 plumage. 



(Number of specimens examined : Col. E.L.S., 23. Univ. 

 Zool. Mus., Copenhagen, 11.) 



The Shoveler (Spatula clypeata). 



Female. — Down. First juvenile plumage. This is fol- 

 lowed by a second juvenile plumage acquired in autumn 

 and the first winter months, this moult including all the 

 head, body and tail-feathers but, of course, not the wings. 

 In spring there is another moult, giving the bird, as in the 

 Teal and others, new feathers on the crown, mantle, scapulars, 

 innermost secondaries and some tail-feathers ; the moult, 

 however, seems to be more extensive than in the pre- 

 ceding species ; consequently the difference between this 

 first and later nuptial plumages is ver}^ slight, the more 

 worn flight-feathers and duller blue fore-wing of the young 

 bird being as a rule the only certain marks of distinction. 

 Having reared its ducklings it goes into first post-nuptial 

 (eclipse) plumage, which in the following spring, sometimes 

 earlier, even in the winter months, is replaced by the second 

 nuptial plumage, after which the female Shoveler, like other 

 surface-feeding ducks, has two annual moults, one only 

 including the flight -feathers. 



Male.— Down. First juvenile plumage. In early 

 autumn this plumage is replaced by a perfectly distinct 

 second juvenile plumage which has, however, hardly been 

 completed before the feathers of the first nuptial plumage 

 commence to appear. This moult lasts until spring, when 

 the bird assumes its first nuptial plumage, showing in this 

 as a rule, but not alwa\'S, a less glossy green head and some 



