THE CRANE KIND. 327 



The Spoonbill is one of those birds which dif- 

 fers a good deal from the crane, yet approaches 

 this class more than any other. The body is 

 more bulky for its height, and the bill is very 

 differently formed from that of any other bird 

 whatever. Yet still it is a comparatively tall 

 bird j it feeds among waters j its toes are divid- 

 ed ; and it seems to possess the natural disposi- 

 tions of the crane. The European spoonbill is 

 of about the bulk of a crane ; but as the one is 

 above four feet high, the other is not more than 

 three feet three inches. The common colour of 

 those of Europe is a dirty white ; but those of 

 America are of a beautiful rose colour, or a de- 

 lightful crimson. Beauty of plumage seems to be 

 the prerogative of all the birds of that continent ; 

 and we here see the most splendid tints bestowed 

 on a bird, whose figure is sufficient to destroy 

 the effects of its colouring ; for its bill is so oddly 

 fashioned, and its eyes so stupidly staring, that 

 its fine feathers only tend to add splendour to de- 

 formity. The bill, which in this bird is so very 

 particular, is about seven inches long, and run- 

 ning out broad at the end, as its name justly 

 serves to denote, it is there about an inch and a 

 half wide. This strangely fashioned instrument 

 in some is black, in others of a light grey, and 

 in those of America it is of a red colour, like the 

 rest of the body. All round the upper chap there 

 runs a kind of rim, with which it covers that be- 

 neath ; and as for the rest, its cheeks and its 

 throat are without feathers, and covered with a 

 black skin. 



