86 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



any rate in most localities,, if even a rumour is heard of a 

 Spoonbill having been seen, the enthusiasm of every one 

 accustomed to a gun is instantly aroused, and it must be in- 

 deed a lucky bird that succeeds in quitting the neighbour- 

 hood alive. Despite its rarity,, this bird has been seen at 

 different times, either singly or in small flocks, in most of the 

 counties of Great Britain, although, as already intimated* 

 these instances are few and far between, and in no one 

 locality can its presence be counted on with certainty. It 

 is said to be plentiful in some parts of Europe, especially 

 Holland, Hungary, Italy, and the south of France, from 

 which places those that are usually seen hanging up in 

 Leadenhall and other large markets are no doubt generally 

 imported. 



In its flight the Spoonbill is slow and steady ; the wings 

 have a regular movement, and the neck and legs are 

 extended to their full length ; when standing, the neck 

 usually takes the form of a double curve, like a letter S. 



The food consists of different items, including aquatic 

 insects, tadpoles, shrimps, worms, small fish, and leeches ; 

 they usually feed by daylight. 



The bird is said to feed when standing in several inches 

 of water, and to collect its food principally by ploughing 

 the water about in the soft mud or sand with its spade- 

 like bill, keeping it open until it comes across some 

 dainty morsel, when it closes the mandibles before taking 

 them out of the water. But those who have seen a duck 

 feed need no very laboured explanation, which only seems 

 to be required because most of the tall wading birds are 

 fishers, and hence possess the pointed bill of the heron; 

 whereas the Spoonbill, like the duck, is a general aquatic 

 and mud feeder. 



