ROSEATE SPOONBILL. 189 
and breed in perfect security in the midst of an abundance of food. 
It is more or less gregarious at all seasons, and it is rare to meet with 
fewer than half a dozen together, unless they have been dispersed by 
a tempest, in which case one of them is now and then found in a situa. 
tion where you would least expect it. At the approach of the breed- 
ing season, these small flocks collect to form great bodies, as is the 
manner of the Ibises, and resort to their former places of residence, 
to which they regularly return, like Herons. During the moult, 
which takes place in Florida late in May, the young of the preceding 
year conceal themselves among the close branches of the mangroves 
and other trees growing over narrow inlets, between secluded keys, or 
on bayous, where they spend the whole day, and whence it is difficult 
to start them. Toward night they return to their feeding grounds, 
generally keeping apart from the old birds. In the same country the 
old birds pass through their spring moult early in March, after which 
they are truly beautiful, presenting the appearance which I have at- 
tempted to represent in the plate before you. The sight of a flock 
of fifteen or twenty of these full-dressed birds is extremely pleasing to 
the student of nature, should he conceal himself from their view, for 
then he may observe their movements and manners to advantage. Now, 
they all stand with their wings widely extended to receive the sun’s rays, 
or perhaps to court the cooling breeze, or they enjoy either seated on 
their tarsi. Again, they all stalk about with graceful steps along the 
margin of the muddy pool, or wade in the shallows in search of food. 
After a while they rise simultaneously on wing, and gradually ascend 
im a spiral manner -to a great height, where you see them crossing 
each other in a thousand ways, like so many Vultures or Ibises. At 
length, tired of this pastime, or perhaps urged by hunger, they return 
to their feeding grounds in a zigzag course, and plunge through 
the air, as if displaying their powers of flight before you. These 
birds fly with their necks stretched forward to their full length, 
and their legs and feet extended behind, moving otherwise in the 
manner of Herons, or with easy flappings, until about to alight, 
when they sail with expanded wings, passing once or twice over the 
spot, and then gently coming to the ground, on which they run a few 
steps. When travelling to a distant place they proceed in regular ranks, 
but on ordinary occasions they fly in a confused manner. When the 
sun is shining, and they are wheeling on wing previous to alighting, 
