P L A T A L E A FLAVÏPES , Gmid.
Yellow-legged Spoonbill.
Platalea flavipes, Gould in Proc. Part Y. p. 106 j and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IV.
This species differs in so many points from the typical members of the genus Platalea, and has so many
characters in common with the white Ibises o f India and Africa, as almost to warrant its separation into a
distinct genus ; its whole habits and economy, however, so closely assimilate to those o f the true Spoonbills,
«JË- I am induced to retain it in the genus to which I originally assigned it. The bill and legs, although
approximating to those of the Ibises, are more slightly modified than some parts of its plumage; and it
must be admitted, that in the lengthened feathers o f the chest, , in the flowing black plumes which fall so
gracefully'over the extremities o f the primaries, and in the total absence at any period o f the occipital plumes,
it approximates very closely to the Sacred Ibis and'its. near allies.
The rainy and luxuriant Season which followed i^e/^Mght.experienced in New South Wales in 1839,
attracted to that part of Australia, among many other rare birds, numerous flocks of the species forming
the subject of the present Plate ; in, fact, so plentiful was it, that there was scarcely a brook or lagoon from
the Hunter to the Lower Namoi that was not tenanted by numbers of this bird; in most instances accompanied
by Straw-necked and White Ibises ('Ibis spinicollis and Ibis strictipennis). The food suitable to one
species was equally s o tp lh e o th e r , all devouring with equal avidity the thousands of aquatic insects, small-
shelled mollusks, &c., which the raii^Baj^hjjpnrently call£c| into; b|ang^
--. I particularly mention; its^occurrenc€^ M t^^j^^m^T asél had mot ^observed a single example during a
previous yisit to the same districts,;' when the whole, face o f the country presented as sad ». spectacle of
sterility as could well be imagined. Over what extent of Australia this fine bird will hereafter be found to
range it % impossible to conjecture; as yet I have never received a specimen from any other part than
New South Wales.
In disposition M q ^ h jit shy and distrustful, and i t was not without ;a considerable degree of caution and
manoeuvring that I could ever approach sufficiently near to make a successful shot. I have occasionally
inet it singly, but more frequently in pairs or in small companies o f from six When not
occupied in procuring food, which they do while skirting the edge o f the lagoon, or by wading knee-deep
among the grasses and rushes, they may be seen reposing on tbe dead branches o f the highest trees growing
near the water, frequently standihgon one leg, with the head drawn back and the bill resting on the breast;
when thus situated, an approach sufficiently near to procure specimens is almost impossible. -
The sexes exhibit no external differences, and are only to he distinguished1' by dissection; the female is,
however, rather smaller than hermate. . .
The whole of the plumage is pure white, with the exception of the outer webs pf the tertiaries, which are
bla ck; face white, entirely devoid of feathers, and bounded posteriorly by a narrow line of black; bill
primrose-yellow, passing into flesby pink at the base,; irides straw-white; legs and feet yellow; nails black.
The figure is that o f a male rather more than half the natural size.