GRALLATORES. 349 



crowded streets with perfect unconcern, and build- 

 ing on the houses and chimney-tops. It occasion- 

 ally visits our shores. It is proverbial for its affec- 

 tion for its young ; and there is an oft-repeated 

 story of a Stork which, during a conflagration at 

 Delft, chose calmly to perish with her unfledged 

 young, rather than desert them ; having in vain en- 

 deavoured to carry them away. The Black Stork, 

 (C. Nigra,) likewise an European species, is much 

 more shy and retiring in its manners. 



Platalea,* the Spoonbill. 



But for the singular form assumed by the beak 

 in this genus, we could scarcely distinguish it from 

 the Storks ; this organ, however, long, broad, and 

 flattened through its length, is dilated at the end 

 to a great width, the two mandibles forming two 

 plates of a somewhat triangular shape. They dabble 

 in the mud for worms and molluscous animals like 

 the Ducks, to which their broad bill and slightly 

 webbed toes shew an approach. 



The White Spoonbill (P. Leucorodia-f) is a 

 migratory inhabitant of Europe and Africa, ex- 

 tending even to the Cape of Good Hope. It is 

 sometimes found in England, and is occasionally 

 exhibited for sale. A few weeks ago, (May, 1842,) 

 the writer observed three exposed at a large poul- 

 terer's shop on Holborn Bridge. A more beautiful 



w;, platys, broad. 

 oj, leukos, white, and 'go'Sav, rhodon, a rose. 



