I06 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMITRE. 



THE SPOONBILL. 



This biril is another instance ot" minute specification, 

 for it is the sole representative in Britain, or elsewhere, 

 of the 



Fara i \y — Plataleidce. 



Genus — Platalea. P. leucorodia. 



General colour white, with a buff tinge on the back of 

 the neck and the lower parts, and a bluish grey shade on 

 the back and wings. The long, peculiarly-shaped bill, 

 which is made something in the shape of a spoon, is black, 

 except at the broadened extremitj', where it is dull yellow, 

 with a few small spots of a black colour. The eye is red ; 

 a small orange line proceeds back for about half-an-inch 

 from the corners of the mouth ; the long legs and the serai- 

 palmated feet are dark blackish giey. 



At one time it was a regular summer visitor, and bred 

 here in communities like tlie heron ; but of late years it has 

 become very rare, partly owing to the reclamation of its 

 favourite haunts, and latterly to the persecution it receives 

 at the hands of " sportsmen," and collectors on the prowl. 



The food consists of small fish, aquatic insects, grasses, 

 and aquatic plants. 



It is not particularly shy, nests in trees, or on the stump 

 of a willow or alder, near water. The nest is made of 

 sticks, rushes, and grass, and the eggs are three, sometimes 

 four in number, white in colour, with pale red or brown 

 spots, but sometimes plain. 



The young remain in the nest until able to fly ; if taken 

 early, it is easy to bring them up by hand, but if captured 

 when adult they do not usually live very long. 



The head feathers can be raised into a kind of crest. 



