THE SPOONBILL. 253 



it thrtists its bill into some reed, that is the means of 

 enabling it to swell its note ; though the truth is, it 

 may be heard with an equal degree of shrillness when 

 far remote either from reed or rush. 



This bird, though of the heron kind, is neither of 

 so voracious or destructive a race, but is a retired and 

 timorous animal, which conceals itself in the midst of 

 Teeds, and makes frogs, insects and vegetables the 

 whole of its food. The nest of the bittern is com- 

 posed of sedge or dry reeds, and is formed amongst 

 bushes by the side of a stream : it generally lays seven 

 or eight eggs ; and the young shift for themselves in 

 the course of three days. 



THE SPOONBILL. 



The spoonbill is one of those birds which differs a 

 good deal from the crane, yet approaches nearer to the 

 class than to any other of the kind ; the body, for its 

 height, is much more bulky ; and the bill possesses a 

 greater degree of length : still it subsists among the 

 waters, is comparatively a tall bird, and its toes are 

 divided in the manner of the crane's. 



The European spoonbill is about the bulk of a crane, 

 though wanting, at least, one foot in height ; with us, 

 they are of a dingy white; but, in America, they are 

 between a crimson and a rose ; yet the figure of the 

 bird is so thoroughly awkward as totally to destroy the 

 effect of its plumes. The bill of the bittern is singularly 

 formed, and is broad at the end, resembling a spoon ; 

 the eyes likewise possess the most vacant stare ; and 

 the whole of its beauty consists in the colour of its 

 plumes : round the upper chap runs a kind of red 

 ring ; but its cheeks and throat are merely covered 

 with black skin. A bird so strangely formed might 



