104 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Linlithgow, as they do not breed on Loch Leven in any 

 numbers, so far as I am aware, if they breed there at all. 

 Doubtless they are to be found at Loch Leven in the winter, 

 though this I do not know. 



Shoveller. — This is one of the most interesting ducks on 

 the lake. I fancy that the usual number is about forty. My 

 earliest record is for August 22nd. I give a few notes as to the 

 dates of their changing plumage : 



" August 22nd, 1913. I identified a small party of Shovellers 

 through the telescope. They were perhaps four hundred yards 

 away, and I could see no difference in their plumage from that 

 of Mallard ducks, but the size of the bill was quite obvious." 



" October 22nd. About forty Shovellers, one or two of the 

 males showing some signs of getting their winter plumage." 



" October 23rd. Some of the Shovellers show distinct signs 

 of getting their winter plumage." 



" October 27th. The Shoveller drakes are fast getting their 

 full plumage. Several of them have a considerable amount of 

 white on the breast and chestnut on the sides." 



" November 4th. Some of the drake Shovellers have prac- 

 tically full plumage." 



" November 18th. It is certain that all of the members of a 

 species do not change their plumage at exactly the same time. 

 There are Shovellers on the lake in several stages at present. 

 Perhaps the young of the year are the latest to change, and one 

 would fancy that with the adults the time bears some relation to 

 the date of their nesting. Birds which nest early would probably 

 change their plumage proportionately early." 



" November 22nd. I saw perhaps a dozen Shovellers, but 

 none of them in nearly full plumage. Possibly they may only 

 stay here during the transition, but they may quite possibly 

 only have been away from the lake for the morning." 



I have a strong suspicion, which unfortunately I had not the 

 time to verify, that all of the Shovellers leave the lake as they 

 complete the change. They became gradually less numerous 

 through November, and I do not think that I ever saw one in 

 absolutely full plumage. Possibly someone might settle this 

 point. If it is as I suggest, it is a fact worthy of note, and there 

 seems considerable reason to believe that it is so. 



