452 



WADING BIRDS. 



FIG. 379. HERON. 



objects ; frequently upon a cart-wheel purposely placed as a scaf- 

 fold for its accommodation. These birds are not only tolerated, but 

 they are held in special regard, on account of the services that 

 they render in destroying reptiles and all sorts of vermin, as well as 

 offal, which they greedily devour. 



FlG. 380. -CLAW OK HKUOX. 



The Spoonbills (Platalea) resemble the Storks in everything but 

 the structure of their beak, which is very peculiar ; it is long, broad, 

 and flattened out near its extremity into a spatula-like plate, so 

 feeble as no longer to be fit for anything but dabbling in the mud 

 in search of little fishes or aquatic worms and insects. 



The third tribe Longirostres,* composed of "Wading 

 Birds, comprehends numerous genera that habitually 

 frequent the banks of rivers. 



All the genera resem- 



* Longus, Jong ; rostrum, a beak. 



