342 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
TIIE SHOVELLER, OR SPOONBILL. 
Anas clypeata. 
PLATE CX. FIG. 245. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Anas clypeata, Linn^us, p. 200. Pen. Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 557. Wilson, Am. Orn.VoI. 8, p. 65, pi. 67,fig. 7. 
Rhyncaspis id. Leach. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. 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, while. 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. 
