BIRDS. 336 



A biid so oddly fashioned might be expected to possess some 

 very peculiar appetites ; but the spoonbill seems to lead a lifs 

 entirely resembling all those of the crane kind ; and Nature, 

 when she made the bill of this bird so very broad, seems rather 

 to have sported with its form, than to aim at any final cause for 

 which to adapt it. In fact, it is but a poor philosophy to ascribe 

 every capricious variety in nature to some salutary purpose : in 

 such solutions we only impose upon each other, and often wil- 

 fully contradict our own belief. There must be imperfections 

 in every being, as well as capacities of enjoyment. Between 

 both, the animal leads a life of moderate felicity ; in part making 

 use of its many natural advantages, and in part necessarily con- 

 forming to the imperfections of its figure. 



The shoveler chiefly feeds upon frogs, toads, and serpents ; of 

 which, particularly at the Cape of Good Hope, they destroy 

 great numbers. The inhabitants of that country hold them in 

 as much esteem as the ancient Egyptians did their bird ibis : the 



t-atin^, and is destitute of the oily taste which is peculiar to most shore 

 birds. 



The Roseate S)yoonbill is an American species, and is the Ajaja of Brazil 

 (Marcgrave), and the Thiukquecul of Fernandez, and Guirapita of the na. 

 tives of Parag-uay. Its dimensions are not so great ivs those of the spoonbill 

 of the ancient continent. The plumag-e, in general, is of a beautiful rose- 

 colour, while the upper part of the wing- and the tail-coverts, are of a lively- 

 red. Age, however, operates tho oarae changes of colour in these spoon, 

 bills, as in the red curlew, and in the flamingo, which in their first years are 

 almost completely white or gray. The bill and its membrane are of a yel- 

 lowish.grcen, which becomes white when the bird is terrified. 



The Spoonbills usually frequent wooded marshes near the mouths of rivers, 

 nuilding in preference upon the taller trees, but where these are wanting 

 taking up their abode among the bushes or even among the reeds. The fe- 

 males usually lay three or four whitish eggs. They iussociate together, hut 

 not in any considerable numbers, and feed upon the smaller fishes and their 

 spawn, shell-fish, reptiles, and other aquatic or amphibious animals. The 

 form and flexibility of their bills are well adapted for burrowing in the mud 

 after their prey ; and the tubercles which are pUu-ed on the inside of their 

 mandibles serve both to retain the more slippery animals and to breakdown 

 their shelly coverings. Their internal conformation, which is in nearly 

 every respect similar to that of the Stork, is iulmirably suited to this kind 

 of food. They have no proper voice, the lower laryn.t being destitute of 

 the muscles by which sounds are produced, and their only means of vocal 

 expression consist ia the snapping of their mandibles, which they clatter 

 with much precipitation when under the influence of anger or ahirm. In 

 captivity they are perfectly tame, living in peace and concord with the other 

 Inhabitant*! of the farm-yard, and rarely exhibiting any symptoms of wilA. 

 neM or desire of change. They feed on all kinds uf garbagii, / 



