OF BIRDS. 9 
Genus41. -PLATALEA. 
THe SPOONBILL. 
The bill is long, broad, flat, and thin; the end widen- 
ing into a roundifh form, a little like a fpoon. 
The noftrils are fmall, and placed near the bafe of the 
bill. 
The tongue is {mall and pointed. 
The feet have four toes, and are femi palmated ; that is, 
the webs come half way to the ends of the toes. 
HE beak of the Spoonbill is very remark- 
able in its form ; it is flat the whole length, 
but widens towards the end like a fpoon, and 
there it is three times wider than in the other part. 
It is remarkable too for its fub{tance, for it is not 
hard, but flexible, and bends eafily like whalebone. 
The plumage Pheaners of the Spoonbill are 
white, in fome the quills are tipped with black. 
The Spoonbill is near the fize of the Heron; 
but its legs are not fo long, and its neck is fhorter. ' 
The feathers on the neck are fhort, thofe on the 
head are long, and form a creft, which falls back- 
wards. The feet, and the naked part of the legs, 
are covered with a black, hard, and fealy fkin. 
As. Spoon- 

