82 



Spatula rhynchotis. 



SllUVELLKK. 

 Alias rlii/uchulis, Lath., Iiul. Orn. 8uppl., p. Ixx. (ISOl). 



Simtiila r/ii/nc/iolis, Gould, Bds. Austr., fol. Vol. Vll., pi. 12 (1.S4.N); id., HaniUik. Bds. Austr, 

 Vol. IL, p. 3G8(1S6")); Salvad., Cat. lUls. iSiit. Mus., Vol. XXVII., p. 314 (1895); 

 Sharpe, HantM. Bds , Vol. I., p. 221 (1S99). 



Adult malk. — (_'r<itvit of tin' luml, liase of llie Iiilt ami c/iiii lirotoiiif-h-black : he/icfi-n /Jie Inll aiid 

 the eyes a crescent u- icliite hand freckled ndth black ; remainder of llie liead and neck blnisli, yreij ylossed 

 until greea on the, sides of the nape ; back broHmish-blaek icith indistinct bluisli-yrey margins to the 

 feathers : rump and np/ier tad-coverts lilach ijtossed unlh ijreen ; taU dark brown, the lateral feathers 

 f.dqed with fnlvous : quills broirii : upper wing-corerts light blue, the outer series of the greater coverts 

 white ; iving sjieeuhim glossy-green : riongateil inner secondaries black ivith a greenish ivash on their 

 outer uvbs ; outer elongated senpiiJars pale blue, the remainder black washed iritJi green and broadly 

 streaked on tli^ir apical portion with n-hile, the shorter ones dark brown edged ivith, rufous and while ; 

 upper breast blacki^h-browH, eacli f-atlier edged ivith pale rufous and having a white cresceniic marking 

 in the centre ; remainder of the under surface reddish-chestnnt, all the feathers crossed with several 

 irreipiliir black bands : on each side of the base of the tail a cons/iicnons w/iile patch. ; bill blackish ; 

 legs and feet yellow. Total length ,.'.' inches, wing 9 5, tad .'/, bill .1 'i, tarsns VJ^. 



Addlt fkm.\LK — Tlie female is smaller and much duller in colour tlian the male ; it has iw 

 ■ivhite crescent on the fare, the chin and siiles of the head are buff, the latter striped with dark broicn : 

 crown of the heail anil nape dark broirn : remainder of the iipper surface dark broirn, each feather 

 margined with brownish-wldte ; tail-featliers dark brown, faintly barred and edged with biiff'y- white; the 

 upper iving-coverts as in lite male, but less distinct, and the icing speculum is of a darker green, far 

 less brilliant ; all tJi.e under siivface pale reddish-buff, ivith dark brown centrrs to the feathers. Total 

 length 19 inches. 



Distribution. — North-western Australia, Oueensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South 

 Australia, Western .Australia, Tasmania. 



/T^MIi range of the Shoveller extends throughout Eastern Oueensland, New South W.ales, 

 1- Victoria, South, Western and North-western .Australia; in the latter portion of this 

 State, however, it is extremely rare. It frequents brackish swamps near the coast, as well as 

 lagoons and fresh water lakes inland, localities which are favourable for it obtaining an abundant 

 supply of food. On the Bogan, Macquarie and Lachlan Rivers, in New South Wales, this 

 species is fairly plentiful, and more especially after a heavy rainfall, when the adjacent low-lying 

 country is partially submerged. During these seasons the brilliantly plumaged male may be 

 seen swimming about among Black Ducks, Teal, "Wood Duck" and other species, but at all 

 times it is extremely shy and difficult to approach, except under cover. No Duck is more 

 wary, and it seems instinctively to resort to open spaces in the water, where it can obtain 

 an uninterrupted view all round. Should an intruder appear it is always the first to take 

 alarm and fly ofl. Its flight is rapid and powerful, and is accompanied with a peculiar whirring 

 sound of the wings. It is an excellent table-bird, and is much sought after by sportsmen. 

 Flight-shooting is much more preferable when opportunity offers, but I have found one of the 

 best ways to secure this species was to remain in concealment near the edge of the swamp 

 where it is known to resort, and wait until it swims ashore to feed usually at the first break of 



