SHOVELLER. 
ANAS CLYPEATA. 
Though by no means abundant in any but strictly preserved districts, the Shoveller is widely distributed 
over the British Islands. In Sutherland I met with a few pairs and small flocks on the shallow pieces 
of water about Lairg, and on one occasion (June 18G8) noticed a brightly plumaged male lying dead on 
the moors near Ben Armine. The rush-grown lochs in the east of Boss-shire are particularly attractive to 
this species, the character of the pools much resembling that of the Norfolk broads, where these birds 
are also resident. Eurther south tlian the swamps and flats of the eastern counties I have not detected 
their breeding-haunts, though Shovellers were annually seen during the winters I shot in Pevensey Level 
and Bomney Marsh some twenty or five-and-t\venty years ago. These birds appear to have decreased 
considerably of late years in the south of England, only two or three specimens having come under my 
observation since 1869. 
Shovellers seldom gather in large flocks; from a dozen up to twice that number may, however, 
occasionallv be seen on the Norfolk broads : if settling near other birds on Avater, or at the slades on the 
marshes, they appear to prefer their own society, and on rising again on wing almost invariably separate. 
This species show^s little inclination for salt water : I never observed them resting at sea, after the manner 
of Mallard, "Wigeon, Teal, or Pintail, off any part of the coast, though they occasionally alight among 
the marine weeds in muddy estuaries and feed round the shore, young birds being sure to occur on 
Breydon Plats in autumn. Here I have frequently met with them so early as the middle of August, 
exceedingly fearless, though, unfortunately, scarcely fit for table; to spare them, however, was utterly 
useless if a chance Avas offered, as many of the amateur gunners Avho frequent the water race immediately 
for any feathered creature that appears in vicAV. 
Some years back I kept three pairs of pinioned birds in confinement on a small island surrounded 
by wire netting on one of the Norfolk broads. Often Avhen on the AA^ater at some distance I Avas surprised 
at the quick sight of the captives. On hearing their call-note, Avhich is somcAvliat of a mixture betAveen 
the cry of the Coot and that of the Moorhen, a small party of ShoA'ellers might be detected high in the air ; 
and though no ansAver AA^as audible, the birds Avould iuA'ariably sAvoop doAvn and, after circling for a time 
alight near at hand. Many specimens, adult and immature, Avere obtained by the help of the decoys; 
fowl, doubtless of this species, AA^ere also often seen or heard, AAdien passing the spot before daylight or after 
dark, to rise from their enclosure. 
Shovellers are exceedingly tenacious of life, and AAdien struck doAvn wounded among AA'eeds and water- 
plants much time is often spent before they are secured. A few lines extracted from my notes aauII give 
some idea of the extent of the injuries from Avhich wildfoAvl Avill oceasionally recover: — “April 25, 1873. 
A keeper Avho looked after the shooting over some of the adjoining marshes brought in a Shoveller Avhich 
he had obtained the previous night, and believed to have escaped from the enclosure in which my decoy 
