SHOVELLER. 



AN SERES. 



375 



AN AT I D^. 



Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus*). 

 THE SHOVELLEK, 



SPOON-BILL DUCK, OR BROAD-BILL. 



Anas clypeata. 



Spatula, Boie^. — Bill much longer than the head, compressed at the base, 

 widening towards the end ; lamellse projecting conspicuously from the base to 

 near the broadest part. Wing pointed, the first and second quill-feathers the 

 longest. Tail short, graduated, of fourteen pointed feathers. Legs very short ; 

 hind toe small, free, unlobed. 



The Shoveller is to be considered generally as a winter 

 visitor to this country, but some remain to breed ; although 

 at the present day few, if an}-, do so in our southern and 

 western counties, where localities suited to their habits, 

 combined with due protection, arc scarce. On the eastern 



* Anas clypeata, Linnaus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 200 (1766). 



t ' Isis,' 1822, p. 564. The present is the only species found in the northern 

 hemisphere, but there are four others, peculiar, respectively, to South America, 

 Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. 



