SHOVELLER 



142. Spatula clypeata. 20 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 (2.10x1.50); 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. 



87 



