THE SPOON-BILL. 185 



feet is undoubtedly a perfection, since this bird gathers 

 a part of its food by probing the sand arid mud with 

 its long bill. A short neck, therefore, for this purpose, 

 is an advantage, as' it is much stronger and more ef- 

 fective than a long one in introducing the bill to search 

 for food. 



We see, therefore, that although we may, at first 

 thought, set down some of the works of the Creator 

 as unbecoming or defective, still, when we come to 

 inquire into their use, we cannot fail to see their 

 perfection, and admire the wisdom of the Maker. 



THE SPOOX-BILL. 



The Spoon-bill tribe, like the cranes, have long legs, 

 and long necks, and like them wade in shallow water, 

 and live by gathering their food from the bottom. 

 They do not appear to be a very peculiar race, ex- 

 cept in the shape of their bills, which are long, large, 

 and swell out at the end in the form of a spoon, and 

 hence the name spoon bill. The several species of 

 this family have similar habits and manners, and dif- 

 fer little from each other, except in size and colour. 



THE ROSEATE SPOON-BILL. 



How large is the Roseate Spoon-bill ? 



The Roseate Spoon-bill is two feet and a half long, 

 and, with the wings spread, four feet in extent. 



What is its colour ? 



Its prevailing colour is that of a pale rose ; the neck 

 17 



