IDENTIFICATION OF DUCKS' EGGS. 21 



partiality for rough, rushy meadows. The eggs are 

 distinctly greenish in colour, which at once separates them 

 from those of the Wigeon, though the doAvn closely 

 resembles that of the latter, and except that it is slightly 

 darker (probably varying in different individuals) I can 

 find little difference. The feathers, however, are totally 

 different, and render confusion between these two species 

 impossible. The only British duck's eggs which at all 

 approach the Shoveler's are certain varieties of the 

 Pintail's, but the Pintail's down is larger and lighter, 

 and the Shoveler's feathers (especially the large ones) 

 are quite distinct, as will be seen by reference to 

 Plate I., Figs. 4, 4. This species breeds fairly early, 

 half incubated eggs were found by me on May 8th. 

 Wigeon seldom nest until the latter part of that month. 



Pintail (Dafila acuta). ^Th.e fact of this bird breeding 

 on Loch Leven is now unfortunately common knowledge : 

 there is, or was, a considerable colony on one of the 

 islands. I once counted thirteen nests, and there were 

 probably more. A few also nest in a certain spot in 

 Orkney, and it is said to have bred in Ireland. Its 

 breeding range extends as far south as Andalusia, and I 

 found a nest there (from which the female was procured) 

 in May, 1902. The eggs are generally described as green- 

 ish in colour, and this is, no doubt, usually the case, but 

 there is at least one other variety which is almost as 

 creamy-coloured as the egg of the Wigeon, and without 

 an}^ trace of green. As far as I know, the shape, which is 

 oval, remains constant. The eggs might be confused with 

 those of the Long-tailed Duck, but that bird's down 

 is much darker, while its eggs are smaller, and the feathers 

 are distinct, as will be seen by reference to the figures. 

 The Pintail's nests observed in Scotland were placed 

 on dry ground, and one was in an exposed situation on 

 burnt grass. In Spain and Hungary I have found them 

 in damp places, one on a marsh quite surrounded by 

 water. It is an early breeder, and full nests may be seen 

 by May 5th. (PL I.^ Figs. 7, 7.) 



