PLATE CCXXXIV. 



that farm tlie grove, with hooks on the tops of long poles pull them 



down. The bird is called by the Low Dutch, Leplaer, that is 



Spoonbilir 



We have been informed that in very feverc winters this bird is fonie- 

 times obferved in Britain ; one of the beft authenticated iiiftances of 

 this, occurred about twenty years ago, when a fmgle bird which had 

 been taken with other wild fowl hi the marlbes, it is believed of 

 Lincolnfhire, was brought to London and expofed for fale in Leaden- 

 hall Market. We are, indeed, affured that the example in our own 

 poffeflion, the one from which the prefent figure is taken, was cap- 

 tured in the Hackney marflies about eleven years ago, but we are un- 

 wilhng to fpeak with too much confidence as our communicant is no 

 more, and every means of afcertaining the particulars has faded with 

 him. A very intelligent Naturahft, the late Dr. Pullney, in his 

 ^' Catalogue of Dorfellliire," has introduced the fpecies among the 

 feathered tribes of that County. And, laftly, Mr. Montagu records 

 the capture of two fpecimens within a few miles of Kingfljridge, 

 Devonftiire, one was (hot in November, 3 804, the other on tbefixteenlh 

 of March, 1807, and it is remarked that both were killed with tlie 

 common Heron. 



The length of this bird is two feet eight or nine inches when at tlie 

 full growth ; the bill large, long and flat, with the end fpatulous, or 

 in the fliape of a fpoon ; whence its name of Spoonbill. The colour 

 of the bill is various, being in fome birds black, in others brown, and 

 upon being clofely viewed, appears rather of a yellow colour, varied 

 and clouded with olive, and thickly fpeckled with darker, and the legs 

 are varied in a manner fomewhat fimilar, though at the fnil glance 



they 



