Birds of Britain 



and young are alike in plumage. Length 22 in. ; wing 

 10-75 in. 



THE SPOONBILL 



Platalea leucorodia, Linnaeus 



This species used formerly to breed in several localities 

 in England, but these have long been deserted. It, however, 

 still occurs on migration, and a few annually visit the 

 Norfolk Broads in spring, where, as they are now strictly 

 protected, it is to be hoped that they may once again be 

 induced to nest. It still nests in Holland, but in other 

 districts where it used to occur it seems 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. 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 36 in. ; bill 8'5 in. ; wing 14*5 in. 



THE FLAMINGO 



Phoenicopterus roseus, Pallas 



This curious and well-known bird is only a very rare 

 straggler to our shores. It breeds in the Camargue district 



230 



