400 GRALLATORES. 



men and women picuing up shell-fish, or other things on the 

 beach.&quot; 



The AFRICAN GIGANTIC STORK, or CRANE, C. marabou, (see 

 Chart,) resembles the Argala, but is not so large, seldom ex- 

 ceeding five feet in length ; its pouch is also much shorter. 

 Another similar species is found in Java. These species furnish 

 the beautiful plumes, esteemed superior to those of the Ostrich, 

 known by the name of marabou feathers. 



The JABIRU, C. mycteria, (Gr. mukter, a nostril, or proboscis,) 

 is native to Senegal, in Africa. In the enormous size of the 

 beak, as also in devouring carrion, the Jabiru resembles the Ad 

 jutant; the greatest part of the head and body of this bird is en- 

 tirely bare ; the plumage of the latter white ; its size is somewhat 

 larger than that of the Swan. 



THIRD FAMILY. SPOONBILLS. 

 Rostrida, (Lat. rostrum, a beak.) 



The Spoonbills have many characters in common with the 

 Herons, and are often included with them. The peculiar form 

 of the bill has gained for them the name which they bear. It 

 is very long, strong, and much flattened ; the point is widened 

 and rounded so as to present the form of a spoon. The face and 

 head are partially, or entirely naked ; the neck and feet are 

 long; the nostrils basal and linear; the toes are four; in some, 

 the hind toe is very small, and articulated high up; the feet are 

 partially webbed ; the wings are ample, moderate in length ; the 

 first quill nearly as long as the second, which is the longest of 

 all. The Spoonbills live in companies, in wooded-marshes, gen- 

 erally not far from the mouths of rivers, and are rarely seen on 

 the seashore. Their food consists of small fish, spawn, and 

 minute fluviatile testaceous mollusks, reptiles, and aquatic insects. 

 According to circumstances, they build their nests either in high 

 trees, in bushes, or among rushes. The young bird does not 

 take the confirmed plumage of the adult until the third year. 

 The crest makes its appearance at the end of the second year. 

 (Temminck.) 



I The COMMON WHITE SPOONBILL, Platalea, (Lat. Spoonbill,) 

 leucorodia, (Gr. leukorodon, a white rose,) is generally distributed 

 throughout Europe, but is most numerous in Holland. It has a 

 very full, long crest of loose feathers on the back of the head. 

 The length is two feet and a half. The old males have a fine 

 white plumage, with a patch of reddish yellow on the breast. 

 This bird winters in Africa, and is found as far South as the 



