70 
The Natural History of British Ducks 
type, there being practically no well-defined light and dark forms, as in the 
case of the Teal, the Mallard, and the Wigeon. The breast is a uniform 
sandy yellow-brown in the centre, only the upper part and vent being marked 
with dark brown spots and flecks ; but underneath this — apparently in marked 
portions of the breast and high up and hidden in the feathers — are also dark 
brown longitudinal markings which gradually work to the surface in May, so 
that the adult breeding females in June and July are heavily spotted over the 
whole of the breast from neck to vent. Their backs and tails are also darker 
at this season. Breeding female Shovelers, like all the surface-feeders, moult 
their primaries in July, in readiness to fly with their broods. 
In Plate XXI. the figure in the water is the adult female, that lying on 
the bank is the adult male in eclipse plumage. 
