SHOVELLER 
142. Spatula clypeata. 29 in. 
Bill long, and much broader at the tip than at the 
base; head and speculum green; belly reddish-brown; 
breast and back, white; wing coverts, pale blue; eye 
yellow; feet orange. Female with head, neck and under- 
parts, brownish-yellow, specked or streaked with dusky; 
wings as in the male, but not as brightly colored. 
Easily recognized in any plumage by the large, broad 
bill. If it were not for this large and ungainly shaped 
bill, this species might be classed as one of our most | 
beautiful ducks, when in full plumage, which is only 
during the breeding season; at other seasons the head 
of the male is largely mixed with blackish. 
Nest.—Of fine grasses and weeds, lined with feathers; 
they lay 6 to 10 grayish eggs (2.10x 1.50); May. 
Range.—Whole of the northern hemisphere. Breeds 
in America, from Minnesota and Dakota northwards, 
and locally farther south; winters on the South Atlantic 
and Gulf coasts; rare during migrations on the North 
Atlantic coast. 
