SHOVELLER. 



AN SERES. 



375 



ANATID.E. 



Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus*). 

 THE SHOVELLER, 



SPOON-BILL DUCK, OR BROAD-BILL. 



Anas clypeata. 



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

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

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

 longest. Tail short, graduated, of fouiteen 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 any, do so in our southern and 

 western counties, where localities suited to their habits, 

 combined with due protection, are scarce. On the eastern 



* Anas clypeata, Linnseus, 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. 



