26 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
thick at the bafe, and very flat towards the extremity^ 
where, in fhape, it is widened and rounded like the 
mouth of a muflard fpatula. It is rimmed on the 
edges with a black border, and terminated with a 
fmall downward bent point or nib. The colour of 
the bill varies in different birds ; in fome, the little 
ridges which wave acrofs the upper bill, are fpotted, 
in others ftriped with black or brown, and general- 
ly the ground colour of both mandibles is in differ- 
ent fliades of deeper or lighter yellow. The infides, 
towards the gape of the mouth, near the edges, are 
fludded with fmall hard tubercles or furrowed pro- 
minences, and are alfo rough near the extremities of 
the bill, which enables thefe birds to hold their flip- 
pery prey. A black bare fkin extends from the bill 
round the eyes, the irides of which are grey ; the 
Ikin which covers the gullet is alfo black and bare, 
and is capable of great diftention. The feathers 
on the hinder part of the head are long and nar- ' 
row, and form a fort of tuft or crefl which falls 
behind. The toes are connected near their junc- 
tion by webs which reach the fecond joint of the 
outer toe and the firfl; of the inner ones, and flight- 
ly border them on each fide to their extremities. 
The feet, legs, and bare part of the thighs are co- 
vered with a hard and fcaly fkin of a dirty black 
colour. 
The White Spoonbill migrates northward in the 
fummer, and returns to fouthern climes on the ap- 
