whalebone. The plumage of the whole body, wings, and 
tail, is white ; and the head is adorned with a beautiful 
crest of white feathers bending backwards. The legs 
are black, as are the thighs, which are naked half their 
length. In short, this bird has all the natural in- 
stincts, and the auk ward form of the crane kind ; liv- 
ing in the water, and subsisting on frogs, acquatic ani- 
mals, &c. 
The American Spoonbill differs from that of Europe, 
which we have described, in being of a beautiful rose or 
crimson colour. Beauty of plumage, indeed, belongs to 
all the birds of that continent ; and, as in the present in- 
stance, is bestowed on one whose general conformation 
is very far from a standard of elegance. 
This bird lays from three to five eggs, and commonly 
builds its nest in high trees, in company with the heron* 
