192 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



Probably also Spain. Reported to have bred South Africa (but 

 probably error). Winters in Africa, India and China. Casual 

 Madeira and Japan. 



Family PLEGADID.E.* 



The Ibises and Spoonbills. Sternum behind with four incisions. 

 No patches of powder-down. Bill long and thin, sickle-shaped, or 

 flat, at tip spoon -like. Claws pointed. Schizorhine. Over 30 forms 

 in hot and temperate regions of both hemispheres. 



Genus PLATALEA L. 



Plat ale a Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, i, p. 139 (1758 — Type by subsequent 

 designation, of Gray 1840, Platalea leucorodia). 



At once recognizable by thin, flattened bill, which at tip is 

 dilated in form of a spoon. Nostrils oblong, near together. Chin, 

 lores, orbits, part of fore -head bare. Tibia half bare. Second 

 primary longest, third little shorter. Four species in south Europe, 

 Africa, Asia to Australia. 



PLATALEA LEUCORODIA 



272. Platalea leucorodia leucorodia L.— THE SPOONBILL. 



Platalea Leucorodia Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, i, p. 139 (1758 — 



Europa. Restricted typical locality : S. Sweden). 



Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, Yarrell, iv, p. 237 ; Saunders, p. 393. 



Description. — Adult male and female. Summer. — -Whole plumage 

 white except round base of neck where feathers are yellowish-buff 

 or tipped yellowish-buff, patch of these feathers varying in extent 

 and intensity of colour ; at back of crown crest of long, narrow, 

 pointed feathers with their webs decurved and rami detached with 

 very short radii on basal part of feathers, white tinged yellowish-buff 

 (length of crest-feathers 100-120 mm. slightly longer in <$ than $). 

 This plumage is acquired by complete moult Jan. -March. Winter. 

 — Another complete moult appears to take place in late summer or 

 early autumn, but very few moulting autumn birds are available 

 for examination. Plumage as summer but no long crest-feathers 

 and feathers at base of neck white. 



Nestling. — At first covered rather sparsely with silky-tipped 

 down dull white. Later when feathers begin to sprout they push 

 out this down and about same time a very short and more compact 

 creamy -white down grows very thickly all over body, and this may 

 be under -down of feathered stage. Chin, centre of throat and 

 round eyes bare at all stages as in adult. 



Juvenile. — Like adult winter but primaries and primary- 



* Objection has been raised to the name Ibididce, because the genus 

 Ibis does not now occur in this family. Therefore the family may be called 

 Plegadidce. — E.H. 



