COMMON SHOVELLER. 127 



ANAS, Svcainson (not of authors). Generic cna- 

 racters. Bill long, depressed, very much di- 

 lated at the tip, nail small, maxilla extending 

 much over the mandible; laminae exposed, long, 

 fine; nostrils basal, round, the fossae small; 

 wings long, accuminated, first and second quills 

 longest ; tail slightly cuneiform ; feet small ; 

 legs slender, short. 



Types. A. clypeata, &c. Cosmopolite. 



THE COMMON SHOVELLER. 



Anas clypeata. 



PLATE IV. 



Anas clypeata, Swains. ; Linn., but not restricted. Rhychap- 

 sis clypeata, Steph. Spathulea clypeata, Flem Shoveller* 

 Red-breasted Shoveller of British authors. 



THIS very beautiful and interesting duck is of con- 

 siderable rarity in Britain, generally considered as 

 a winter visitant, but now known to breed in 

 limited numbers in the marshes of Norfolk. * It 

 occurs also, during winter, in the south. In Scotland 

 we have never ourselves met with it living, but 

 have generally seen one or two specimens, during 

 the winter and spring, among the Edinburgh poul- 

 * Yarrel, Trans. Linn. Soc. 



