THE MOUTH BRISTLES OF WIGEON, 
GADWALL, AND MALLARD. 
Here we see a wonderful 
provision of nature. The 
comb-like teeth, or lamince, 
of the surface-feeding ducks 
are developed in proportion 
to the extent which the par- 
ticular species feeds on the 
surface . or otherwise. An 
omnivorous and somewhat 
coarse feeder like the jVIallard 
only possesses them in a very 
rudimentary form, whereas 
the Shoveler, which is con- 
stantly skimming the surface 
of the water for fine sub- 
stances, has them greatly 
developed in both upper and 
lower mandibles. 
/ 
THE 
MOUTH BRISTLES OF THE SHOVELER. 
