THE SHOVELLER. 205 



plumage is so difficult to be distinguished is, because they 

 are not to pair and discharge their* parental functions 

 till the ensuing spring. As colours seem to be the chief 

 external sexual distinction in many birds, these colours 

 do not take place till sexual attachments begin to obtain ; 

 and the case is the same in quadrupeds, among whom, in 

 their younger days, the sexes differ but little ; but as they 

 advance to maturity, horns, and shaggy manes, and 

 brawny necks, &c., strongly discriminate the male from 

 the female. We may instance still further in our own 

 species, where a beard and stronger features are usually 

 characteristic of the male sex : but this diversity does not 

 take place in earlier life ; for a beautiful youth shall be 

 so like a beautiful girl that the difference shall not be 

 discernible." 



The periodical assumption by the male bird, of female 

 plumage after maturity, is not so rationally to be ac- 

 counted for ; the drake of this species, as with the mallard, 

 pintail, and other ducks, assuming, at certain seasons, at 

 least to a great extent, the markings and general hue of 

 the opposite sex. In summer it entirely loses the green 

 of the head and neck, and in several other respects 

 adopts the garb of its mate. 



The Shoveller's nest is never far from the water's edge, 

 though always placed above the chance of inundation. 

 It contains twelve or fourteen pale opaque green eggs. 



