EXPEDITION TO SURINAM., 343 



The fhoveler or fpoon-bill (which has fome affinity to chap. 



xxvin 



the cranes) is about the lize of a goofe : the legs are not t _ _ \ 

 very long, and it is web-footed but for a little way be- 

 tween the toes : the feathers are a beautiful rofe-colour, 

 though they are white when young ; but the bill is truly 

 remarkable in this bird, being flat, much broader before 

 than at any other part, and circular, in fome degree re- 

 fembling a fpoon, from which it takes its name. They 

 are faid to feed on frogs, rats, and lizards, yet fifh is evi- 

 dently their principal nouriibment, from their frequent- 

 ing the fea-Iide, and having a fifliy tafte when they are 

 killed. 



The crane or jabiru of Surinam, I can befl compare to 

 a ftork, of which it has much the appearance, but is 

 larger. The body of this bird is milk white, but the 

 prime feathers of the wings and tail are black : the limbs 

 and toes are exceffively long ; but I obferved one pecu- 

 liarity which diftinguilhes it from all other birds, viz, 

 that it frequently fits upon the heel : the neck and bill 

 are of an uncommon length, the latter being ilrong, and 

 a little hooked at the point. The head of the crane or 

 jabiru is perfedly black, on account of which, among the 

 Dutch, it obtained the appellation of a 7iegro-cop, It fre- 

 quents the coaft, like the others above mentioned, and 

 lives entirely on fiili ; this bird is eafily tamed. 1 have 

 feen a couple of them in the poultry-yard belonging to 

 Colonel Fourgeoud. — (See both thefe fpecies of fea-fowls 

 in the plate annexed^ where the lait is reprefented fitting 

 in the pofture I have defcribed.) 



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