SHOVELLER
(Spatula clypeata).
These ducks are very
easily identified, not
only by their unusual
and attractive plumage,
but because of the
comparatively large size
of their bills, which
are much larger than
those of any other
species in proportion to
the size of the bird.
Shovellers, "Broadbills"
or "Spoonbills," as they
are perhaps more often
termed, have a very wide
distribution, being
found in almost all
parts of the Northern
Hemisphere. In our
country, they breed
locally in the western
and central states and
throughout Canada.
Shovellers frequent
fresh- water ponds and
lakes, especially where
there are shallow
bottoms well covered
with vegetation. They
feed by "tipping-up,"
where they can reach
bottom, sifting the mud
through the very
prominent strainers on
the sides of the bill,
and eating the many
insects and small
mollusks so obtained.
Their flight is
quite swift and often a
little erratic. They
appear larger than they
really are, for they
have considerable spread
and a large head and
bill to give an
appearance of size that
does not exist in
reality. Their flesh is
quite desirable and they
are often shot from
blinds over decoys to
which they come very
readily and with little
fear.
PINTAILS (Dafila
acuta), " Sprig-tails "
or "Spike-tails," as
they are about equally
often called, are quite
unusual among ducks and
easily identified
because they have such
long slender necks and
pointed tails, although
the latter feature is
shared with the
Old-squaw. This also is
a cosmopolitan species
and is found in both the
Old World and the New.
According to E. W.
Nelson, who has had
unusual opportunities of
watching their actions
during the mating
seasons, they are very
playful, diving into the
water when in full
flight and emerging also
in flight, chasing one
another about and
occasionally mounting
high in the air to
descend on set wings.
They nest in Canada and
south to interior United
States. In winter they
are usually seen in
small flocks of their
own kind, and seldom
with other species.
|