OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 75 



speculum green, white-tipped ; axillars and most under wing coverts white ; 

 scapulars striped with tawny and blue, or dark green ; fore-back barred ; rump 

 and tail dark, plain ; crissum black ; bill black, feet dusky yellow ; female 

 with head and neck altogether different; under parts much paler and obscurely 

 spotted, but known by the wing marks. 



Hab. North America in general, but chiefly the Eastern Province ; north 

 to Alaska, and south to the West Indies and Northern South America ; breeds 

 from the Northern United States northward. 



Nest composed of dry grass and weeds, lined with feathers. Eggs, eight, 

 dull green. 



At Hamilton very few of this species are seen in spring, but 

 in the fall they often appear in flocks of considerable size, and 

 during their short stay afford good sport to the gunners, who 

 lay in wait for them in the evening near their feeding ground. 



At St. Clair I have seen them in June, evidently mated, and 

 was told that a few pairs still breed there, though the number 

 of summer residents is small as compared with former .5^ears. 



In Grand Valley, along the banks of the Assinaboine, Prof. 

 Macoun found them extremely abundant, and breeding in suitable 

 places throughout the district. 



Genus SPATULA Boie. 



40. SPATULA CLYPEATA (Linn.). 142. 



Shoveller. 



Bill as above with very numerous and prominent laminae. Head and 

 neck of male, green ; fore-breast white, belly purplish-chesnut ;' wing coverts, 

 blue ; speculum green bordered with black and white ; some scapulars blue, 

 others green, all white-striped ; bill blackish ; feet red. Female known by 

 bill and wings. 



Hab. Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeding from Alaska 

 to Texas ; not abundant on the Atlantic coast. 



Nest on the ground. Eggs, eight, greenish gray. 



An adult male Shoveller procured in the month of May makes 

 a handsome specimen for the cabinet, as there are few of our 

 waterfowl as gaily attired ; the large spoonbill somewhat spoils 

 his beauty of proportion, but it serves as a distinguishing mark for 

 individuals of the species, of any age or sex. 



