ANATIDAE-DUCKS. 205
Shoveller: Spatula clypeata.
Fairly common on our coast from autumn to spring, and occa-
sionally met with inland. It breeds regularly, though in small num-
bers, in several parts of Britain, and a few pairs nest annually among
the marshes on our coast.
Mr. Clarke notes (24) a male shot at Debden by Mr. Salmon on Mar. 28th,
1839. Mr. W. H. Hill, of Southminster, in 1835 (12. viii. 574) says, it " is rarely
killed [in that district]. I have seen one pair this winter." Mr. Crouch has (44.
iii. v.) a specimen shot on the Roding at Barkingside on Oct. 27th, 1881, after a
week of very severe weather.
Mr. Crosfield, of Reigate, informs me that he put a drake up from Dagenham
Lake on April 29th, 1879, when it seems probable that it was breeding. Mr. Hope
writes that it " breeds on the marshes not far from Harwich." He shot one there
on Aug. 1st, 1884. Mr. Fitch and myself observed a pair on the Old Hall Marshes,
Tollesbury, on June 12th, 1888, which the keepers informed us had bred there that
spring ; and in 1889, according to Dr. Salter, a considerable number bred on these
marshes, where he says it is becoming commoner as a breeding bird. In a MS.
letter of Col. Russell's, he says :—Several pairs " stay every summer in our place
in Essex [? Stubbers], and probably breed there, but their habit is to go south
soon after they can fi}7 well."
Tufted Duck : Fuligula cristata.
A somewhat rare and irregular winter visitor; occasionally met
with on lakes or rivers in various parts of the county, but most often
near the coast.
It has not yet
been positively
known to breed
in Essex, but
may do so, as it
appears to be a
resident and in-
creasing in num-
bers in various
parts of the
country.
Graves says (7.
iii):-
" Some we re-
ceived alive from a
decoy near Mal-
don, Essex, were exceedingly wild and survived but a few days. During their
confinement, on the approach of anyone, they uttered a hissing noise like the
Common Goose, and were continually snapping their bills. They have many of
the actions of the Teal, but are a far less elegant species."
Mr. Clarke speaks (24) of one at Littlebury on Feb. 2nd, 1832, and one at
Audley End in 1835. Earthy, in March, 1839, records (19. 114) the recent occur-
rence of one at Marks Hall. On Mar. 20th, 1867, a flock appeared on the River