a. [Cf. prec.] Having a spoon-shaped bill. Used in specific names (see quots.).

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  Also spoon-billed butterball, heron, teal or widgeon, etc.

2

1668.  Charleton, Onomast., 99. Anas Platyrinchos Gesneri,… the spoon-bill’d Duck.

3

1844.  Ann. Nat. Hist., XIII. 178. This curious bird (a spoon-billed Tringa) described by Dr. Pearson.

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1869.  Ibis, V. 430. A full description of the spoon-billed Sandpiper.

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1886.  Newton, in Encycl. Brit., XXI. 261/1. The marvellous Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Eurinorhynchus pygmæus, whose true home has still to be discovered.

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