6o 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



distributed over a large surface, affords them greater facilities lor procuring food. They are usually 

 seen wading about in pairs or parties, and, if disturbed, fly low over the water, and settle at no great 

 distance ; but if really terrified, or fired at, they rise in flocks, high into the air, and, after hovering 

 and wheeling around, settle on the highest trees, and as long as their foes are in sight win not return 

 to the water. Their roosting-places at night are said to be on the ground. Their food consists 







i i \ 





THE SPOONBILL (PUtatea leucorodia). ONE fifth natural size, 



principally of fish and water-snakes, which they have been seen to catch and devour. They will 

 also feed on the intestines of dead animals, the carcases of which they easily rip open with the strong 

 hook of the upper bill. Their breeding-time is in the rainy season, during the months of July and 

 August ; and the spot chosen is among reeds or high grass, immediately at the water's edge, or on 

 some small elevated and dry spot, entirely surrounded by water. The bird, before laying, scrapes a 

 hole in the earth, in which, without any lining of grass or feathers, the female deposits her eggs. As 

 many as a dozen have been found in the same nest. "Numbers of these nests." says Mr. Petherick 



