72 



RHYNCHASPIS. SHOVEL-BILL. 



In this genus, wliich differs little from Querquedula, 

 unless in the expanded form of the bill, and the remarkable 

 elongation of the extremely attenuated lamellae, the body is 

 elongated, elliptical, slightly depressed, and moderately full ; 

 the neck rather long and slender ; the head oblong, much 

 compressed, little elevated above. 



Bill longer than the head, much higher than broad at the 

 base, gradually depressed and widened toward the end, the 

 breadth of which is double that of the base ; upper mandible 

 with the basal sinuses broadly rounded, the dorsal line gently 

 sloping and nearly straight to the unguis, which is small, 

 oblongo-obovate, decurved at the end, the ridge broad and 

 concave at the base, gradually narrowed, convex toward the 

 end, the sides at the base erect, toAvard the end spreading and 

 convex, the edges sinuate, the very numerous, elongated, 

 slender lamellae projecting conspicuously from the base to 

 near the broadest part, beyond which they are incurved, the 

 nasal sinus small, ovato-elliptical, sub-basal, and near the 

 ridge ; lower mandible less dilated, with the intercrural space 

 very long, rather narrow, and bare, the crura erect at the 

 base, horizontal toward the end, with their former outline 

 considerably rearcuate, the lamellae extremely numerous, the 

 upper filiform, the unguis small, obovate, and little convex. 



Mouth of moderate width ; anterior palate broadly con- 

 cave, with a median prominent line, having a few papillae 

 toward the base. Tongue fleshy, with a deep median groove, 

 and marginal slender lamellae and bristles, its breadth increas- 

 ing to the end, where it is abrupt, but with a semicircular 

 median flattened tip. (Esophagus of moderate width ; pro- 

 ventriculus oblong. Stomach a very muscular, roundish 

 gizzard, placed obliquely, with longitudinal rugous epithelium. 



