Genus RHYNCHASPIS, Leach.
Ge n . Ch a e . Beale long, its base unarm ed, semi-cylindric, th e tip dilated, somewhat spoonshaped,
with a small in cu rv ed n a il; the sides o f th e mandibles w ith p ectinated lamellas.
Nostrils medial, oval, basal. Tail short, simple, furnished mostly with fou rteen feathers.
SH O V E L L E R DUCK.
Rhynchaspis clypeata, Steph.
Anas clypeata, Linn.
Le Canard Souchet, ou le Rouge.
The singular spoon-sbaped bill bordered with numerous delicate laminie, which characterises several species
of this interesting family, has been considered of sufficient importance to constitute the distinctive characters
, o f a group, to which the name of Rhynchaspis has been applied by Dr. Leach, and that of Spat/mlea by
Dr. Fleming, while Mr Swamson retains the title of Mas to this group, as frod, the peculiar structure of its
beak, be considers the Shoveller to be thp type of the true grass-feeding ducks: we have restricted the term
Mas. however, to the group comprehending the Common Wild Duck; and having been so employed by our-
.selves, and the term Spathalea having scarcely been adopted, we prefer the generic title of Blmc/mpis
This group consists of several species, which are almost universally though sparingly distributed The
range of the present species extends throughout the temperate portions of Europe, the northern regions of
fnca and nearly the whole of India: in our island it appears to be somewhat limited; doubtless a few breed
annually ,n our marshes, and Mr. Selby informs us that he has a male in his collection killed in the month '
61 July at which period ,t undergoes that transition of plumage which assimilates it to the female, a change
the utility o f which has not as yet been philosophically explained. As we have observed that this change is
common to the males of those species that more especially breed in marshes, among reeds, &c and as it
generally takes place at the period of incubation, may it not serve as a protectiob to the species by rendering
the fostering parent less conspicuous at this critical period than he would be were he to retain the gav
nuptial dress, which would present so strong a contrast to the sombre-tinted vegetation among which it is
. necessary for him to remain, until the young are able to provide for themselves ?
’ It is said to prefer lakes and inland waters tdi tlje sea and saline marshes, a circumstance to be accounted
by the pe“"1,ar I,ature of lts f° °d. "'■>» o d i s t s of the larva, of insects, and freshwater vegetables such
as grasses and duckweed: from this kind of food its flesh, as might be expected, is both delicate and tender
and m high esteem for the table.
Its mode of nidification is very like that of the Common Wild Duck, the nest being constructed among
coarse herbage m the central parts of marshes, add the eggs, being from ten to/twelve in number of a pal!
green colour. ’ v
and d d i r T dIiffer H 5 H C0l0arin«’ ,he maIe bei"K ad°™«* i" spring and summer with a rich .
and delicate plumage; while the female is of a more uniform and sombre tint.
I B B taS H i healland Upper part0f H O B brown glossed with green; lower part of the
neck breast, scapulars, and sides of the rump white; back blackish brown, each feather margined with gre,
and tinged with green ; lesser w.ng-coverts and outer webs of some o f the scapularies greyish blue; tips of ¡HHI Ha°rmm? a Wm H SpeCUl“m ricb B; ter,ials■ parpIish “ “ k
W M S*reak H i ■ tbe ce"trei ralddle ‘ail-feathers brown edged with white, outer ones entirelv
■ M a i a“d ™de; tail-c°7 te Mack tinged with green; under surface yellowish brown with zigzai
lines of black upon the flanks and vent; bill blackish brown.
whtaT female 1,35 the Wh°k °f ,he “PPer 8Ur&Ce deep b‘'°™' eacb fea,her barred Md mar»ined with feddish
We have figured a male and female, rather less than the natural size.