SPATULA. 343 



follows :— Length (A) 1-88 x 1-45 inch; (B) 1-92 x 1-47 inch; 

 (0) 1-94 X 1-45 inch ; (D) 1-92 x 1-47 inch; (E) 1-91 x 1-47 inch; 

 (F)l-95x 1-47 inch. 



This bird usually commences to breed in August and continues 

 till theend of of November, and very often deposits its eggs under 

 the shelter of a cotton-bush on the plains far away from any water, 

 but like all the members of this family the breeding season is 

 greatlynnfluenced by the rains. 



Sah. Gulf of Carpentaria, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, 

 Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, 

 Interior, "Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.') 



It has also been recorded from New Zealand under the name 

 of A. ffracilis. 



Genus SPATULA, Boie. 



SPATULA RHYNCHOTIS, Latham. 

 Australian Shoveller. 

 Oould, Randhh. Bds. Amt., Vol. ii., sp. 588, p. 368. 



This species ranges over the southern half of the continent of 

 Australia, and is likewise found in Tasmania and has been recorded 

 from New Zealand. It is rather difficult to procure specimens of 

 this bird, as it is extremely shy, and takes to flight upon the 

 least approach of danger. The nest is generally built beneath the 

 shelter of a bush or tuft of rank grass at no great distance from 

 water. Eggs seven or nine in number for a sitting, creamy-white 

 withafaijit greenish shade pervading through the shell. Dimensions 

 of a set of three eggs taken at Wilcannia, in September 1883 : — 

 Length (A) 2-3 x 1-54 inches ; (B) 2-27 x 1-55 inches; (C) 2-24 

 X 1'53 inches. 



Three specimens in the Macleayan Museum Collection measure 

 as follows :— length(A) 2-12 x 1-53 inches; (B) 2-08 x 1-52 inches; 

 (C) 2-2x1 -6 inches. 



