236 



PRESERVATION OF NATIVE PLANTS. 



The eggs were placed under a hen. Two of them proved to be 

 unfertile ; a third contained a dead chick, but the other six eggs 

 hatched out on May 26th; the first chick to hatch breaking the 

 shell in the presence of Mr. W. Duckworth. Considering the in. 

 clement character of the spring of 1886, the date of May 8th may be 

 considered early for the north of England. Mr. Seebohm states that 

 'eggs are seldom found in this country before the middle of May' 

 (B.B. iii, 556). Dr. Sclater gives the dates of June 2nd, gth t 

 24th, 30///; July 4I/1, $th, 8th, gth, iot/1, nth, and 20th, for 

 Shovellers hatching out in the Zoological Gardens (P.Z.S., 1880, 

 p. 523). It may be interesting to remark in passing, that a female 

 Shoveller in that collection began to sit upon seven eggs on June 4th 

 of the present year (1886); the nest being partially concealed by 

 brushwood, and in close contiguity to the water, as also to a much 

 frequented footpath. The pinioned Shoveller drakes of this collection 

 begin to show the first signs of ' eclipse,' at the beginning of June, 

 the crown of the head assuming the brown female feathers. In his 

 recent list of Irish Birds, Mr. More refers to a male Shoveller shot 

 on July 24th 4 in the brown summer plumage' ; but in this species, 

 as in the Mallard, it is probable that the date of the assumption of 

 eclipse plumage varies somewhat in individual males. 



The young Shoveller in down does not differ widely in appearance 

 from other Anatidae at the same stage, the upper parts being dark 

 brown with a white spot behind each pinion, and another on each 

 flank. The lower parts vary from buffish on the throat to white on 

 the abdomen. An eye stripe is also present. As some difference of 

 opinion exists, or has existed, as to the development of the bill in the 

 young of 5. clypeata, it may be well to remark that of two young a 

 week old (hatched out, as related, on May 28th), the one possesses a 

 narrow bill, such as Mr. Yarrell described as characteristic of young 

 Shovellers bred at the Zoological Gardens; the bill of the second 

 nestling is proportionately shorter and broader than that of its fellow, 

 and suggests an early lateral expansion of its surface. 



Preservation Of Native Plants. — This subject was carefully discussed 

 by the committee of section D (Biology) at the Aberdeen Meeting of the British 

 Association, and by them referred to the Conference of Delegates to be reported 

 on at the Birmingham Meeting. In furtherance of these views it is desirable that 

 answers to the following questions should be given by as many members as can 

 report thereon. The answers may be sent, before Mid August if possible, either 

 to the undersigned or to Prof. W. Hillhouse, Mason Science College, Birmingham. 

 Queries. — 1. Have any plants of comparative rarity or otherwise disappeared 

 from your local flora in recent years ? if so, kindly enumerate them, specifying the 

 original habitat of each and giving the cause or probable cause of extirpation, so far 

 as known to you. 2. To what extent do you think such disappearance was subject 

 to public control ? If you have any suggestions to offer under this head be so good 

 as to name them. 3. If you know personally of any cases of extirpation in 

 localities other than your own, please furnish particulars as above. — Chas. P. 

 HOBKIRK, Dewsbury. Naturalist, 



