342 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



THE SHOVELLER, OR SPOONBILL. 



Anas clypeata. 



plate cx. fig. 248. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anas clypeata, LlNH^DS, p. 200. Pen. Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 557. Wilson, Am. Orn.Vol. 8, p. 65, pi. 67,fig. 7. 

 Rkyncaspis id. Leach. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol.2, p. 382. Richardson, f. B. A. Vol. 2. p. 439, 

 A. id. Audubon, B. of Am. VoL 6, p. 293, pi. 394. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol.2, p. 375. Giraud, Birds of 

 Long island, p. 317. 



Characteristics. Mirror green bordered with white. Male, brown : head and neck dark 

 green ; wing-coverts blue. Female, yellowish brown, spotted with 

 black. Length, 19' 0. 



Description. Bill longer than the head, very broad, and much dilated and bent down at 

 the base : teeth at the sides in long and slender plates. Tarsus 1 # 2— 1*4, moderately com- 

 pressed : hind toe with a narrow membrane. Tail short, rounded, of fourteen pointed fea- 

 thers. 



Color, quite variable. Male : Head and half the neck, middle of the back, quills and 

 tail brown ; the hind neck tinged with bright green. Upper part of the breast, sides of the 

 lower portion of the neck, some of the scapulars and sides of the rump, white. Abdomen 

 and flanks deep orange-brown. Vent and under tail-coverts black, glossed with green. Five 

 or six of the outer secondaries bright green on their outer webs. Female, brown above ; 

 beneath yellowish brown, with numerous dusky angular bars : mirror less vivid. Young, 

 resembling the female. 



Length, 17-5-20-0. 



The Shoveller, or Spoonbill, is not an abundant species in this State, and is more fre- 

 quently obtained along the rivers and lakes than on the coast. It usually appears in the winter 

 and spring : the specimen described above was shot April 10. It breeds in Texas westward 

 to Columbia, and through the fur countries : the eggs are from 12-14, pale greenish yellow. 

 Its food consists of small fishes, insects, and the smaller shells. Is not known to breed within 

 the limits of the United States. It is highly prized as affording delicate eating, and ranges 

 from Mexico to 70° north latitude. Common to Europe and America. 



