Genus PLATALEA, Linn,
Gen. Chau. B e a k elongated, strong, compressed, the point dilated and rounded, spoon-shaped,
the upper m andible channeled round the margin, furrowed transversely at the base.
N o s tr ils approaching, oblong, open and edged by membrane. F a ce, h ea d and ch in more
or less naked. T a rsi long, and of considerable strength. T oes united by a membrane,
deeply cleft, and terminating as high as the second articulation; hind-toe long, and applied
entirely to the ground. W ings, second and third q u ill-fea th e rs nearly equal and longest,
the first rather shorter.
S POONB I L L .
P la ta le a leucorodia , L in n .
L a S p a tu le blanche.
N a t u r e in her exhaustless resources exhibits great variety o f means adapted to the same end, which she
apparently delights to display, as i f to convince us o f the unlimited extent o f her empire, and the powers under
her command. The truth o f this observation is plainly exemplified in the species under consideration. Allied
to the Stork, Heron and Crane, and subsisting in a great degree on the same kind o f food, still the essential
modification in the structure and form o f that apparatus by which it is obtained has induced naturalists to
assign the Spoonbill a station as the type o f a separate genus. In the Crane, the Stork and the Heron, we find
the bill conical and pointed; but in the Spoonbill this organ is modelled differently; and although, as* already
stated, the food o f the present bird nearly resembles that o f the species above mentioned,— viz. mollusca, newts,
frogs and their ova, together with small fishes,— it appears, i f we may hazard a conjecture, a plan o f construction
still better adapted to its particular purpose.
Although the Spoonbill in its general manners is closely allied to the Stork, it is by no means so familiar
with man, but affects localities more remote and unfrequented. In captivity, however, it acquires confidence
and loses that distrust which characterizes it in freedom; and from its gentleness and inoffensive disposition,
as well as from the purity o f the colour o f its plumage, its graceful crest, and the ease and elegance o f its
attitudes, adds beauty and interest to the aviary.
The genus Platalea thus separated is very limited, containing, as far as our researches have yet enabled us
to ascertain, not more than five or six species, o f which the present alone, we believe, is a native o f the
European portion o f the globe. The British Islands, it is true, no longer afford a secure retreat for the
Spoonbill, owing to the draining o f our more extensive marshes and inland waters; nevertheless it still
occasionally visits this country, and the author for several years past has ascertained the fact o f the Spoonbill
annually appearing on the coast o f Norfolk, at that period o f the year in which they wander in search o f
uninterrupted asylums; and we doubt not that this species and many others, i f unmolested, would still breed
with us as heretofore.
The Spoonbill is spread over Europe generally; but Holland appears to be the principal place o f summer
rendezvous, whence it migrates, on the approach o f winter, to more southern regions, where it remains till the
return o f spring,— it then again retraces its course. It generally selects the tops o f lofty trees for the site o f its
nest; sometimes, however, it chooses less elevated situations, building among rushes or reeds, and laying two
or three large white eggs marked with obscure spots o f red ; varieties, however, are often found completely
white.
The plumage o f the adult bird is white, with the exception o f a pale reddish-yellow band which encircles
the lower part o f the neck, about three inches in width on the under part, whence it gradually contracts as
it extends upwards; and the crest (both o f which it acquires only during the breeding season,) is o f the same
colour, though o f a paler tint. A flesh-coloured space entirely devoid o f feathers extends from the base o f the
lower maudible to the eye, and is continued about two inches down the throat, where it assumes a deeper
yellow; beak black with a yellow t ip ; the irides r e d ; the legs and feet black. Total length, two feet six
inches ; length o f the beak varying from seven to nine inches.
The female differs from the male only in being rather smaller. The young when they leave the nest bear
a general resemblance to the parent birds, with the exception however o f the following particulars; viz.— the
beak is not so large, softer in texture, and o f a lighter colour; the shafts as well as the tips o f the quill-
feathers are black ; the irides ash-coloured ; the naked parts about the head are paler, and there is no indication
o f that elongated crest which ornaments the adult birds, both male and female, in the breeding season.
Our Plate represents a male in the spring plumage.