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 i6 to 17 in.; wing 

 7*6 in. 



SPOONBILL 

 Platalea leucorodia {LinncBus) 



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 z^ in. ; bill 8*5 in. ; 

 wing 14 "5 in. 



