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Birds. 
THE SPOONBILL, (Platalea leucorodia,) 
Is a large "bird ; the colour of the whole body is white, 
and the resemblance of the bill to a spoon has caused 
the denomination of the bird. In some specimens the 
plumage inclines from white to pink colour. On the 
hind part of the head is a beautiful white crest, re- 
clining backward. The legs and feet are black. The 
wisdom of Providence is most conspicuous in the con- 
formation of the bill, which is entirely adapted to the 
habits and manner of feeding of these birds : the frogs 
and fishes, which constitute the principal food of the 
Spoonbill, may often escape the thin and narrow beak 
of the heron and other birds, but the mandibles of this 
bird are so large at the end, that the prey cannot slip 
aside. Like rooks and herons, Spoonbills build their 
nests on the tops of high trees, and lay three or four 
eggs, which are white, sprinkled with pale red, and 
the size of those of a hen. These birds are very noisy 
