88 FAMILIAR WILD BIR.DS. 



distance up by a membrane. Like the heron, the legs are 

 long and stout. 



There is but little difference in the appearance of the 

 sexes ; the female, however, does not attain the size of 

 the male so early in life, and the plume is smaller, but the 

 plumage, with this exception, no way differs from that of 

 the male bird. 



The young birds have no plume at all, and the beak is 

 smaller, lighter, and less firm in its texture. 



The Spoonbill is migratory in its habits, its principal 

 summer residence being the northern parts of Europe ; the 

 winter it usually spends in the warmer climate of the 

 south, the sea coasts and salt marshes of Italy being, 

 according to Yarrell, very favourite winter resorts. The 

 flesh of this interesting bird is said to be capital eating, 

 and by no means rank or fishy in flavour. 



