CEYLON WATER BIRDS. 305 
PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 364 ; 
Legge, p. 1109). 
The Glossy Ibis. 
Description.—Head, wings, and tail deep brown .glossed 
with bronze-green and purple ; remainder of upper plumage 
dark chestnut ; a patch of bright maroon-red on the scapulars 
and smaller wing coverts; the breast and abdomen lighter 
chestnut. 
Out of the breeding season the red patch disappears from 
the wing coverts and scapulars, and the head and neck 
become blackish-brown streaked with white. 
Young birds have sooty-black heads and necks, and 
brownish-black under parts. 
Distribution —Found about tanks in the low-country, 
and by the lagoons of the north and east coasts. Mainly 
resident and commonest in the north, where the numbers 
are probably augmented during the north-east monsoon by 
migrants. It occurs throughout the better-watered plains 
of India and Burma mostly as a winter visitor. Its range 
extends all round the warmer parts of the world. 
Habits —Generally met with in flocks, but not very com- 
mon, and usually very shy. The birds breed in small colonies 
in trees near water, making smallish stick nests. The eggs 
are oval, pointed at each end ; the colour is a beautiful blue- 
green, and the surface is slightly pitted. Three are usually 
laid ; average size 2 by 1°40. 
Family PLATALEID. 
Genus Platalea. 
Spoonbill. 
Only one species occurs within our ‘limits; in form it 
resembles the Ibises, but is larger, more slender, and with 
longer legs. The bill is long and very flat, broadening and 
curving downwards at the extreme tip, like the wide handle 
of a huge spoon. The nostrils are placed near the base of the 
bill, and the nasal grooves run close to the edge of the man- 
dible right up to the tip ; half of the tibia is naked ; the toes are 
long, bordered by membrane, and slightly webbed at the base. 
