308 A PBACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



brilliant as adult, median and lesser coverts usually duller and 

 browner. The juvenile body-feathers, not always back and rump, 

 tail-feathers and occasionally innermost secondaries and coverts 

 are moulted Aug. to Jan. First summer. — Moult as in adult female 

 but usually only central pair of tail-feathers renewed. Plumage as 

 adult female and only to be distinguished by speculum and median 

 and lesser coverts being sometimes duller. 



Measurements and structure. — $ wing 232-252 mm., tail 73-85, 

 tarsus 32-37, bill from feathers 62-69 (12 measured). 2 wing 217- 

 235, bill 59-64. Primaries : 1st narrow, pointed and about half 

 longest primary- covert, 3rd longest, 2nd equal or 3-5 mm. shorter, 

 4th 8-10 shorter, 5th 20-26 shorter, 6th 34-40 shorter ; 2nd emar- 

 ginated inner and 3rd outer web. Innermost secondaries long and 

 tapering, longest equals 7th primary or between 6th and 7th. 

 broader and less pointed at tip in eclipse. Scapulars long and 

 tapering, in eclipse shorter and mostly with rounded tips. Tail 

 short and rounded, central pair longest, 14 pointed feathers. Bill 

 longer than head, compressed at base, much expanded and almost 

 spatulate terminally where about twice as wide as at base ; lamella? 

 very thin, lengthened, almost completely exposed posteriorly, 

 where they resemble teeth of fine comb. 



Soft farts. — Bill (ad. $) leaden-black, in eclipse brown, (ad. $) 

 greenish -brown above, margins inclining to yellow, lower mandible 

 dull orange, nail brown, (juv.) pink-horn ; legs and feet (ad. $ and 

 $) orange-red, (juv.) orange-brown ; iris (ad. $) golden to reddish- 

 orange, (ad. $) yellow, (juv.) brown. 



Characters. — "No subspecies. Distinguished in all plumages from 

 other British ducks by spoon-shaped bill and w T ell- developed fine 

 comb -like lamellae. 



Field -characters. — Rather smaller than Mallard, with shorter 

 neck and heavier build, features which are accentuated by its enor- 

 mous spatulate bill, the Shoveler's dominating character in swim- 

 ming and in flight. Female resembles Mallard in colour, but has 

 pale blue shoulder and green speculum. White neck and breast of 

 male contrasting strongly with green head and broad chestnut 

 breast-band are diagnostic. Swims with fore-parts deeply sunk, 

 but stern is not elevated like Gadwall's. Flight direct, but less 

 rapid than Mallard's. Haunts pools, bogs and swamps where there 

 is shallow water and abundant cover more than open lakes, and 

 seldom resorts to sea unless compelled by frost. Rather a silent bird ; 

 utters alow "took, took "inflight, and at times a creaking "quack." 



Breeding-habits. — Breeds on meadows near water, edges of 

 marshes, etc. Nest. — On dry ground, among grass, heather or 

 sheltered by gorse, lined with grass and down (feathers from nest, 

 see Brit. B. y II, PL 1.). Eggs.— UsuaUy 8 to 12 but 13-14 said to be 

 recorded, greenish to buff. Average of 100 eggs, 52.2 X 37. Max. : 

 56.5 X 38 and 54 x 39. Min. : 48 X 37 and 50.5 X 34.5 mm. Breed- 

 ing-season. — Usually about last week April onward. Incubation. — 



