2 58 ALLENS naturalist’s LlIiRARV. 
Slioveler with any other species of Duck have been recorded 
though Von Ischusi has mentioned an instance of its matimr 
with a Domestic Duck. ° 
Characters.— The flattened form of the Shoveler’s bill, widened 
at the end, and “ spatulate,” as it is called, as well as the 
blue wing-coverts, and the green speculum in the wino- dis- 
tinguish this species, 
Range in Great Britain. — A few pairs breed annually in England 
especially in parts of Norfolk, where the Ducks are protected’ 
as well as m the marsh-lands of other parts of England and 
Scotland. It nests on the island of Tirec, where Colonel 
Irby has found it, but not on the Outer Hebrides. In many 
localities It IS increasing in numbers as a breeding-bird, and 
the same may be said of Ireland, where, according to Mr 
Ussher, it nests sparingly in Donegal, Antrim, Fermanagh’ 
Westmeath, Louth, Dublin, Queen’s County, Galway, Ros- 
common, Mayo, and Sligo, and probably in King’s County 
and Kerry. During the winter the species occurs in most 
parts of Great Britain. 
Range outside the British Islands. — The Shoveler is found in 
America, as well as in the Old World, and breeds in temperate 
North America, visiting the United States in winter, and ex- 
tending as far south as Panama. In Europe it does not 
so far north as some of the other Ducks, and is a species 'of 
the temperate portions of Europe and Asia, visiting Northern 
Africa, India, and China in winter. It has been procured in 
Borneo, and seems to wander as far south as Australia. 
Hahits. — I'his species is more of a fresh-water Duck than 
many of its relations, and frequents marshes and inland lakes 
where it searches in the shallows for the food which its broad 
bill enables it e.asily to sift, as it consists of tender shoots of 
grass and weeds, as well as aquatic insects and small molluscs, 
while it is also said to include tadpoles, frogs’ spawn, and very 
small fish. As a rule, it is not so shy as other Ducks, and, in 
its winter quarters in India, it is described by Mr. Hume’ as 
being very tame. The female is a devoted mother, and watches 
over her brood with great anxiety, while Mr. Whitaker states 
that he has found the male bird sitting on the eggs. When 
flying, the bird is said by Mr. Seebohm to utter a Sfuttural note 
