Genus— S P A T U L A . 
Spatula Boie, Isis 1822, p. 564 
pt. n., p. 114, 1824 
Also spelt — 
Rhinaspis Bonaparte, Isis 1832, p. 1186. 
Rynchaspis Brehm, Vogelfang, p. 377, 1855. 
Rhynchasmus Koenig, Joiun. fur. Om., 1893, p. 104. 
Also spelt — 
Spatvlea Salvador!, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., Vol. XXVII., p. 306, 
Clypeata Lesson, Manuel d’Orn., Vol. II., p. 
1828 
Souchets “ Cuv. 1817 ” Gray, Handl. Gen. Sp. 
pt. III., p. 84, 1871. 
Type 
S. clypeata. 
XII., 
Type 
S. clypeata. 
1828 
Type 
S. clypeata. 
1895. 
416, 
* - 
Type 
8. clypeata. 
Birds, 
• • 
Type 
8. clypeata. 
Anatine birds of medium size with characteristic very long broad bill, 
much broader than deep : otherwise structurally the species of this genus 
closely resemble those of Anas. The bill is very long, much longer than the 
head and about twice the length of the metatarsus ; the bill is high and 
narrow at its base, the upper mandible spreading out into a broad 
flattened apical portion, with small well-defined overhanging tip : the 
culmen ridge fairly ^yell marked, the nostrils situated high up, near base of 
bill close together on either side of the culmen ridge. The sides of the 
mandible are for half-way deeply cut into, showing a well-developed long 
comb which is still present though overhung by expansion of the sides on the 
anterior portion. The lower mandible is narrow at the base and broader 
anteriorly to correspond with expansion present in upper mandible ; the rami 
are almost parallel enclosing bare space, and reaching almost to the end, 
leaving a very small flattened nail which fits into the nail of the\ upper 
mandible. The depth of bill, at the base is about one-third its length, 
while its breadth is only about a quarter : at two-thirds the length 
from the base the bill is broadest and is then almost half its length. 
The wing is long with first primary longest. 
The tail is comparatively long with pointed feathers, about one-third 
the length of the wing, and longer than the bill. 
The metatarsus is about half the length of the culmen and is scutellated 
anteriorly on frontal face, but otherwise reticulate. 
The toes are long and fully webbed, the middle toe being longer than 
the metatarsus ; the hind toe is rather long and narrowly lobed. 
117 
