THE SPOONBILL. 
]81 
liam Jardiiie, writing in 1842^ merely referred to what had been 
stated in Dr. Eleming^s History of British Animals/ published 
in 1828^ where Sibbald is mentioned as having noticed the 
species to be an accidental visitant to Scotland^ and as having 
been received from Orkney. It is said also to have been shot 
in Zetland (p. 94). Like aU the other rare birds of this family 
{Ardeidce) , noticed in the preceding pages^ the one now under 
consideration retires far southward to winter. 
When visiting the Zoological Garden, Eegenks Park, London, 
in May 1834, I was gratified by observing the affection subsisting 
between a spoonbill and a black stork (Ciconia nigra). The bill 
of the latter was much broken ; but its companion afforded the 
use of his, and was busily engaged dressing the breast plumage, 
and perhaps endeavouring to destroy the parasitical insects of the 
stork. After he had performed this kind office for some time and 
ceased, the stork put down his bill, and worked, as well as he could 
with a broken instrument, among his feathers : tliis was a signal 
for the spoonbill to renew his efforts, and he recommenced the 
friendly task. Each bird having one leg drawn up all the time, 
caused the whole scene to be rather comical. The operation over, 
the two birds continued close together, the spoonbill figuratively 
under the shadow of the stork’s wing. The latter bird is quite a 
distinguished individual, having, in the words of Mr. YarreU, 
stood for his portrait to illustrate the ornithological works of 
Mr. Bennett, Mr. Selby, Mr. Gould, Mr. Meyer, my own, and 
probably those of several others.^'’* 
Brit. Birds, vol. ii. p. 498. 
