THE SHOVELER. 



Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 47. 



During the last forty years or so the Shoveler has greatly increased as a 

 breeding species in the British Islands, especially in Scotland and Ireland, whilst 

 in England it is best known as a spring and winter visitor, though nesting 

 regularly in Norfolk and Lincolnshire, and more or less in many other counties. 

 It breeds in Europe from about as far north as the Arctic Circle southwards to 

 the Mediterranean countries and also in North Africa, but in the latter country it 

 is more plentiful in winter. Eastwards across Asia it is found as far as Japan 

 and southwards to India, whilst it has also a wide range in America. This 

 species, according to Millais, " makes a deep nest of fine grass, and will place it 

 in open grassy land near water, but not in rank vegetation. As a rule it is very 

 well hidden, and, the parent bird sitting close, it is difficult to find," The eggs, 

 varying in number from eight to fifteen, are greenish-buff in colour. 



The Shoveler is a decidedly fresh-water duck, very seldom found on the sea, 

 and obtains its food, consisting of water-insects, worms, molluscs, &c., as well as 

 grasses, duck-weed and seeds, among the bogs and marshes of inland waters. It 

 has a characteristic manner of feeding ; plunging the broad and curiously shaped 

 bill in the water, or holding it horizontally on the surface, it sifts the muddy liquid 

 through the bristles with which the mouth is furnished. 



The mated pairs in early summer may often be seen closely following each 

 other in circles while feeding in this manner. 



The Shoveler is a rather silent bird, but in the breeding season the male utters 

 a low croaking note. 



