S58 



Birds. 



THE SPOONBILL, (Phtalea leucorodia,) 



Is a large bird ; the colour of the whole body is white, 

 and the resemblance of the bill to a spoon has caused 

 the denomination of the bird. In some specimens the 

 plumage inclines from white to pink colour. On the 

 hind part of the head is a beautiful white crest, re- 

 clining backward. The legs and feet are black. The 

 wisdom of Providence is most conspicuous in the con- 

 formation of the bill, which is entirely adapted to the 

 habits and manner of feeding of these birds ; the frogs 

 and fishes, which constitute the principal food of the 

 Spoonbill, may often escape the thin and narrow beak 

 of the heron and other birds, but the mandibles of this 

 bird are so large at the end, that the prey cannot slip 

 aside. Like rooks and herons, Spoonbills build their 

 nests on the tops of high trees, and lay three or four 

 eggs, which are white, sprinkled with pale red, and 

 the size of those of a hen. These birds are very noisy 



