134 



RHYNCHASPIS MACULATUS. 



Rhyn. — Precedenti sitnilis. scd corpore flavescente-fi'inigineo, nigris maculis rotundatia ornatis ; capite 



simili. nigro sparse 



SPOTTED SHOVELLER. 



Shoveller like the preceding, hut with the body yellowish-ferruginous, adorned with rounded 

 black spots ; head the same, sprinkled with black. 



IN. IN. 



Length 20 Tarsi 1^ 



Bill 2 3-10ths Middle toe 2 1-lOtb 



We have considerable doubts as to the validity of this species. The marks of distinction 

 between it and R. Rhi/nchotis are the following: the nail on the bill is broader, the flattened space 

 between the nostrils and behind them is also broader ; the whole body is of a lighter colour, and 

 spotted in the centre of each feather with round dots ; the white spot behind the thighs is similar, 

 but the admeasurements slightly differ. We suspect that this bird will eventually turn out to be 

 the female of Rhynchotis ; and that the birds we have described as female and young of that bird 

 will turn out to be both young males. 



ffiiynchaspis maculatus Gould in Jard. and Selb. Flltts. Orn. p. 117. 



Mr. Gould received his bird from South America ; ours was received from New Holland. 



RHYNCHASPIS CLYPEATA. 



Rhyn. Mas. — Capite colloque viridibus; ptilis cseruleis. 

 Rhyn. Fem. — Brunnea, marginibus pennarum suturatioribus. 



COMMON SHOVELLER. 



Male shoveller, with the head and neck green ; the wing coverts blue. 

 Fem. shoveller, brown, with the margins of the feathers lighter. 



IN. IW. 



Length 20 Tarsi 1| 



Bill 2J Middle toe 2 



Male : head and neck glossy metallic green ; throat black ; breast, smaller scapulars, and 

 greater wing coverts white; larger scapidars and lesser wing coverts blue, the former with a light 



