BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 
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13. Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Gould 
Plat-al'-e-a—Gk, platalea, spoonbill: re'-gi-a— L., regius, regal. 
distribution. Australia (except Western Australia, south of North 
West Cape); also occurs in Borneo, and the Celebes to New Guinea; 
accidental to New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Black-billed Spoonbill. Observed singly, in pairs, 
or in small flocks, frequenting swamps, lagoons, and reed-covered mar¬ 
gins of rivers. It is a typical wading bird, and stalks its food in the 
shallow weed-covered swamps, showing a preference for large swampy 
areas, where it can keep far out from the margins. Food: small fish, 
aquatic insects, and molluscs. In breeding plumage an adult has the 
nuchal crest feathers elongated. 
nest. An open platform, composed of broken-down reeds and twigs, 
placed a few feet above the water. Some nests are placed among the 
branches of low leafy trees. Isolated nests of White and Straw-necked 
Ibises are often found in breeding colonies of this species. 
eggs. Three or four, dull chalky-white, covered more or less with 
spots, blotches, and smears of pale yellowish-brown or reddish-brown 
markings. Breeding-season: October to April. 
14. Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes Gould 
flav-i-pes-L., flavus, yellow; L., pcs (pedis), foot. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Yellow-legged Spoonbill. Observed singly, in 
pairs, or in flocks, frequenting swamps, margins of lakes and streams, 
or flood-covered flats. It is generally seen stalking gracefully about the 
edge of a swamp in search of food, often in the company of other 
wading birds. Except when breeding, it is extremely shy and wary, and 
its habit of perching on the branch of a dead tree makes it difficult of 
approach. Food: fish, aquatic insects, and molluscs. 
nest. A large structure, composed of sticks loosely interlaced; 
generally placed in an upright forked branch of a tree, preferably one 
growing in water. Breeds in colonies, mostly in the company of Cor¬ 
morants and Herons. 
eggs. Three or four, dull chalky-white and lustreless. Breeding- 
season: September to January. 
15. Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Raffles 
Ard'-e-a— L., ardea, heron: sumatrana— of Sumatra. 
distribution. Northern Australia, from King Sound (north¬ 
western Australia) to Broad Sound (Queensland); also occurs in 
Malaysia. 
notes. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting chiefly mangrove 
swamps. It is a shy bird and haunts the quiet reaches and channels 
which intersect the large areas of mangroves. When disturbed, it flies 
with a lazy and rather ungainly (light to a more secluded part of the 
swamp. Its note is a hoarse croak. Food: marine animals of vanous 
kinds. 
