ARDEIN^. 
It  is  in  the  tropical  parts  of  South  America  that  the  species  of  this  genus  is  found.  It  frequents  the  marshy  place®) 
and  is  said  to  perch  on  the  trees  that  overhang  the  rivers,  and  thence  it  precipitates  itself  upon  the  fish  which 
may  happen  to  swim  beneath.  It  is  also  believed  to  feed  on  crabs. 
S.  cochkaria  Linn.  PL  enl.  38.  869. 
Platalea  Linn* 
Bill  lengthened,  straight,  thin,  much  depressed  and  broadly  dilated  at  the  tip,  which  is  spatula-forinf''^^’ 
with  a lateral  groove  commencing  on  the  forehead,  extending  and  somewhat  parallel  with  the  edge  to 
the  tip,  which  is  slightly  bent  downwards;  the  nostrils  basal,  and  placed  in  the  groove,  with  the  openiD» 
oval,  and  partly  closed  by  a membrane.  Wings  long,  and  the  second  quill  the  longest.  Tail  short- 
Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  rather  slender,  and  covered  with  reticulated  scales.  Toes  long ; 
the  anterior  toes  much  united  at  their  base  by  a membrane,  which  extends  along  the  sides  of  the  toes  to 
the  tip ; the  hind  toe  long,  and  rather  elevated,  and  only  partly  resting  on  the  ground ; the  claws  shorh 
scarcely  curved,  and  obtuse. 
These  migratory  birds  are  found  in  most  parts  of  the  world.  They  frequent  the  marshy  inlets  of  the  sea,  and 
borders  of  lakes  and  rivers,  in  which  they  wade  about  in  search  of  the  fry  of  fish,  worms,  frogs,  and  various  aquati^ 
insects.  They  are  capable  of  swimming,  and  even  diving,  in  quest  of  their  food.  The  nest  is  built  both  on 
trees  and  among  rushes  or  reeds  m the  swampy  places  to  which  they  resort.  It  is  formed  of  sticks,  and 
female  lays  two  or  four  eggs. 
1.  P.  leucorodia  Linn.  PI.  enl.  405.,  Sonn.  Voy.  t.  52.  ? — Platalea 
alba  Scop.  ? ; P.  nivea  Cuv. 
2.  P.  tenuirostris  Temm.  Man.  d’Ornith.  p.  ciii.,  Sonn.  Vov.  t. 
51. — Platalea  nudifrons  Cmv.  ; P.  chlororhynchus  Drop. ; P.  nivea 
Burch. 
8.  P.  Telfairii  Vigors,  Proo.  Z.  S.  1831,  p.  41. 
4.  P.  regia  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1837,  p-  106. 
5.  V.flarnpes  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1837.  p.  IO6. 
6.  P.  ajajn,  Linn.  PI.  enl.  165. 
* It  was  in  1735  that  Linufeus  established  this  genus.  Pelecanu.<i  of  Moehring  (1752)  and  Platen  of  Brisson  (I76O)  are  synonynwn''' 
Mag,  1847. 
7 B 
