SPATULA. 
343 
follows:—Length (A) 1-88 x 1-45 inch; (B) 1-92 x 1 "47 inch ; 
(C) 1 *94 x 1-45 inch ; (D) l - 92x l - 47 inch; (E) 1 - 91 x 1-47 inch; 
(F) 1-95 x 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 
greatly influenced by the rains. 
Hal. Gulf of Carpentaria, AVide Bay District, Dawson River, 
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, Now South Wales, 
Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.') 
It has also been recorded from New Zealand under the name 
of A. gracilis. 
Genus SPATULA, Boic. 
SPATULA RHYNCHOTIS, Latham. 
Australian Shoveller. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., 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 dillicult 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 
with a faint 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 l - 52 inches; 
(C) 2'2 x 1'6 inches. 
