766 
This species has not previously been recorded from Luzon, but a 
specimen was obtained in Mindanao by Mearns and recorded in Pro- 
ceedings of the Biological Society of Washington (1905) 18, 89. 
Platalea minor Temm. and Schl.? 
I am creditably informed of the recent occurrence of a spoon-billed 
ibis in Luzon, although I have been unable to examine a specimen 
myself. A Filipino taxidermist tells me that he saw specimens which 
were obtained in January, 1905, not far from Manila. 
The plumage was white; the chin, lores, and a restricted area about the eyes 
were unfeathered; the legs and feet were dark brown. Some six birds were killed 
at one shot, but, unfortunately, they were eaten and neither skins nor any other 
parts were preserved. As this taxidermist is familiar with Philippine birds, I 
feel sure that his statements are reliable. 
The spoon-billed ibis has been reported from Luzon, but we have no 
certain evidence as to which species occurs, and none of the recent 
collectors have seen it. We should be very grateful to anyone sending a 
specimen or even parts of this bird to this Bureau, with particulars 
relating to the date and place of capture. For the use of those likely 
to encounter the species, I subjoin a short compiled description of 
Platalea minor: 
Plumage entirely white with a small crest; forehead, chin, side of face, and 
area about eye unfeathered; bill, slate color, transversely barred with black; 
inside of mouth black; bare skin of face black with a bright-yellow ochre patch 
before the eye; iris blood-red; legs purplish black. Length from tip of bill to 
tip of tail, 27 inches; bill, 7.2; last joint of wing, 14.6; tail, 4.2; tarsus (i. e., 
from base of toes to next joint of leg), 4.75. The spoon-bill is easily distinguished 
by the shape of its bill, which is spatulate. The spoon-billed, or more properly 
the shoveler, duck has a similarly shaped bill but in other respects bears no 
resemblance to the spoon-billed ibis. 
Chaetura sp.? 
I have received the following note from Mr. Worcester relative to 
the occurrence in northern Luzon of a giant swift: 
On the evening of March 25, just below the Tinguiane settlement of Dipadi on 
the Ablug River, in the region commonly known as Apayao, I saw a flock of 
giant swifts of the genus Chaetwra, numbering some forty individuals. Nearly 
all of them were flying in pairs, there being apparently only two or three old 
bachelors in the flock. The individuals of the several pairs did not seem to be 
pursuing each other but were apparently flying together for the sake of socia- 
bility. They were flying very low, occasionally skimming along the surface of the 
river and dipping into the water as they flew. Several individuals passed within 
twenty or thirty feet of me. It was most aggravating to be obliged to lose this 
very exceptional opportunity for collecting giant swifts, but as I had no shotgun 
with me I had to content myself with observing them as carefully as possible. 
I looked in vain for the white spot in front of the eye, which is so characteristic 
a marking of Chaetura dubia, recently discovered by you in Mindoro. However, 
the flight of these birds was so extremely swift that this marking may have been 
overlooked. All the individuals which were seen showed white markings on the 
under tail coverts and flanks. There was no light marking on the rump. 
