S H O V E L LER.
ANAS CLTPEA TA.
TuofGU by no means abundant in any but strictly preserved districts, tbc Shoveller is widely distributed
over tbc British Islands. In Sutherland I met with a few pairs and small Hocks on the shallow pieces
of water about Lairg, and on one occasion (June 1SGS) noticed a brightly plumaged male lying dead on
the moors near Ken Arniino. The rash-grown lochs in the east of Iloss-shlre are particularly attractive to
this species, the character of the pools much resembling that of the Norfolk broads, where these birds
arc also resident. Farther south than the swamps and ilats of the eastern conuties I have not detected
their breeding-haunts, though Shovellers were annually seen during the winters I shot in Fcvensey Level
and Itomney Marsh some twenty or five-and-tweniy 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 l^tii).
Shovellers seldom gather in lariro Hocks; from a dozen up to twice that number may, however,
occasionally be seen on the Norfolk broads: if settling near other birds on water, or at the shades on the
marshes, they appear to prefer their own society, and on rising again on wing almost invariably separate.
This species shows little inclination for salt water: I never observed them resting at sea, after the manner
of Mallard, Wigcou, Teal, or Pintail, off any part of the coast, though tlicj occasionally alight among
the marine weeds in muddy estuaries and feed round tbc shore, young birds being sure to occur on
Brcydon Flats in autumn. Here I have frequently met with them so early as tho middle of August,
exceedingly fearless, though, unfortunately, scarcely fit for tabic; to spare them, however, was utterly
useless if a chance was offered, as many of tbc amateur gunners who frequent the water race immediately
for any feathered creature that appears in view.
Some years back I kept three pairs of pinioned birds in eoniinouieut on a small island surrounded
by wire netting on one of the Norfolk broads. Often when on the water at some distance I was surprised
at the quick sight of tbc captives. On hearing their call-note, which is somewhat of a mixture between
the cry of the Coot and that of the Moorhen, a small party of Shovellers might be detected high in the air;
and though no answer was audible, the birds would invariably swoop down and, after circling for a time,
alight near at hand. Many specimens, adult and immature, were obtained by the help of the decoys;
fowl, doubtless of this species, were also often seen or heard, when passim: the spot before daylight or after
dark, to rise from their enclosure.
Shovellers arc exceedingly tenacious of life, and when struck down wounded among weeds and waterplants
much time is often spent before they are secured. A few lines extracted bom my notes will give
some idea of the extent of the injuries from which wildfowl will occasionally recover :—"April 25, l>i7:j.
A keeper who looked after the shooting over some of the adjoining marshes brought in a Shoveller which
be had obtained the previous night, and believed to have escaped from the enclosure in which my decoy