BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 323 
tail are bluish grey, and the flanks delicately vermiculated with 
the same colour. Extending half-way across the breast is a 
narrow black bar, and a shorter but broader one begins a little 
further back. There is a black patch between the bill and the 
eye on either side, and another high up on the occiput joining 
its fellow on the opposite side, this black crescent being broken 
by the overlapping of the slightly elongated feathers of the head. 
The eclipse plumage is very like that of the immature male, 
from which it may always be distinguished by the mantle 
remaining black. The female is smaller; head and neck 
reddish brown; remainder of upper parts and breast ashy 
grey; under parts white. Length from 16 to 17 in.; wing 
7°6 in. 
SPOONBILL 
Platalea leucorodia (Linneus) 
This species at one time was known to breed in several 
localities in England, but these have long been deserted. It, 
however, still occurs during migration, and a few visit the 
Norfolk Broads yearly in spring, where, as they are now strictly 
protected, it is to be hoped that they may once again be in- 
duced to nest. It still nests in Holland, but in other districts 
where it used to be found it appears to have died out 
as a breeding species, and is now restricted to more southern 
localities, such as the south of Spain, the Danube, and the 
Black Sea. 
_ The whole of the plumage is white; gular pouch orange ; 
bill black, with yellow tip; legs black. The sexes are alike 
in plumage, but the adult female is a trifle less, and the crest 
is not so much developed. The young may be distinguished 
by the black ends to the quill feathers and the flesh-coloured 
bill. The adult plumage is not fully assumed till in the 
second or third year. Length about 32 in.; bill 8°5 in. ; 
wing 14°5 in. 
