. 
21a”) 
(939) PLATALEA LEUCORODIA, Spoon-Bill, is more plentiful than 
the former birds. It is seen in the plains, In Bengal these birds 
frequent more marshy parts, or they are seen in flocks feeding on 
the land or collected together on the trees, near by a wide expanse 
of water. On these trees they usually build their nests in crowded 
colonies, with other species of Water-birds. The name Spoon-bill is 
obvious, owing to its curiously formed bill, which is spoon shaped, 
long, very broad, depressed and thin, dilated and rounded at the 
extremity. The forehead is nude ; tarsus long and reticulated ; on 
the head it has a long hanging crest ; front toes are united by a 
web. <A side view of this bird from a distance will not always help 
one, to recognise it, by the unique looking bill ; colour of its plumage 
aids, one, not a little. In size it is 35 inches ; bill black with wavy 
lines of yellow. Exposed skin of the face ete. is orange yellow. It 
has a buff yellow patch on upper breast; same colour, a short way 
along sides of the back, otherwise the bird is pure white. These 
Spoon-bills are usually found in groups of fives or sixes feeding in or 
by the side of rivers, lakes etc. in the plains, and paddling in search 
of small fish, aquatic insects, snails, frogs and molluscs. They are 
often seen in company with other species, Shell Ibises in particular, 
which birds generally accompany them on their migratory journeys. 
Some of these mixed flocks have been observed passing over into 
Thibet and Central Asia. Whilst on the other hand numbers of 
Spoon-bills remain behind, and build their nests on lofty trees, near 
swamps and lakes in the plains. You will occasionally find a tall 
clump of shady tamerind trees, at the outskirts of a village, near 
a large expanse of water, which is crowded at the breeding season 
with nests of herons, egrets, cormorants and a few spoon-bills. The 
eges are typically elongated oval, pointed at one end, of a chalky 
white colour, tinged with yellow, a few of the eggs are marked with 
blackish streaks and blotches. 
(940) ANAsTOMUS OscrITANS, Shell Ibis, is the boon companion 
of the Spoon-bill. This species is plentiful about the marshes and 
water-ways in Bengal. They roost at night, also at midday, in the 
warmer months, on tall leafy trees, usually at no great distance from 
water. The Shell Ibis is about 30 inches in length. The colour of 
this bird varies a good deal. Generally their plumage is pale ashy- 
grey, with a reddish tinge on the head and neck ; wings, scapulars 
and tail are black; but birds displaying more, pure white are 
frequently seen. As the name implies this Ibis feeds on snails and 
the like. It secures the large Ampullavia (common in the plains), 
holds it with its feet ; slices clean off the operculum, then with a few 
turns and twists draws out with its bill the captured snail, from its 
shell, much the same way, as we would suck a marrow bone. It is 
not so long ago, in backward native states, the cruel pra¢tice was 
