RED SHOVELLER 39 



Courtship and Nesting. Seven males collected by Mr. R. H. Beck at Mar del 

 Plata, Buenos Aires, in September and October, showed the sex organs "large" in 

 five and in "breeding condition" in the others. Five females collected from Sep- 

 tember 21-24 were labeled as having sex organs either "swelling," "large," or 

 "ready to breed." Presumably the species nests in October and November, for by 

 mid-December many flightless individuals were seen by Peters near Neluan in 

 northwestern Patagonia. 



The nest differs in no respect from that of other Shovellers. It is placed on dry 

 ground near the water and is made of dried grass and lined with down. The eggs are 

 seven in number, and of a creamy color (A. H. Holland, 1897). Specimens of eggs in 

 the British Museum measure 49-57 by 35-36 mm. (E. Gibson, 1920). 



Status. This is not an uncommon species. In Uruguay, in fact, it is described as 

 the most plentiful duck in winter (Barrows, 1884). It is, of course, everywhere less 

 common than the Brown Pintail or the Chilian Widgeon. In northwestern Pata- 

 gonia it comprised about one to two per cent of the eleven species of ducks found 

 there, equalling in number the Yellow-bill and Cinnamon Teals (Peters, MS.). 



Enemies. The enemies are those discussed under Anas spinicauda. 



Food Value. This duck does not enjoy a high reputation as a table bird. 

 E. Gibson (1920) says it is the "least popular of the duck family from the edible 

 point of view, being spare in flesh and rank in flavor." 



Behavior in Captivity. The Red Shoveller has never reached North America 

 or Europe in a live state. 



