TIIK SI'OON KILLS. 487 



-\ccor(liu{>- lu circuuisUuifC's, tlu'V liulld their hcits I'ithcr in lii^li liws, in bushes, or 

 auioiifj^ rushes. Their moult is simple and ordinary ; but the young bird does not assume 

 the coniirmcd livery of the adult till the third year. 



The bill is gradually developed, and appears covered with a nieinbrane. The crest 

 makes its appearance at the end of the second year. Tlio differences between the sexes 

 are only slightly marked. 



These birds are distributed tlirough Juiropo generally. Holland appears to be a 

 principal place for their summer meetings. Temminek states, that the spoonbill has two 

 periods of passage along the maritime coasts, and that it journey's with the storks. As 

 winter approaches, it migrates to more southern regions till the milder weather recalls it. 



^Ir. Bennett tells us that in winter if takes up its (quarters in various parts of Africa, 

 extending southwards even to the Cape of Good Hope. It is rarely met with in inland 

 countries, except on the banks of the larger rivers ; but it is by no means uncommon, 

 during the season, on the coasts of the great extent of country which it embraces in its 

 visits. 



In England it only appears occasionally. Pennant mentions a large flight which 

 arrived in the marshes near Yarmoutli in April, 1774. Colonel Montagu describes it as 

 sometimes seen during the winter on the coast of South Devon, and )nentions his 

 receiving two specimens from that part of tlie country, one in November, 1)^04, and the 

 other in 1807. ilr. Yarrell records., tvyo specimens which were shot in Lincolnshire 

 in 18'26. 



Tlie flesh of the spoonbill, when well fed and fat, is said to resemble in flavour that 

 of a goose. 



