V'-»
^ v v
S P O O N B I L L .
Platalea leucorodia, Linn.
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
SPOONBILL
PLATA LE A LEUCORODIA, Linn.
Platalea leucorodia, Linn. S. N. i. p. 231 (1766); Macg. iv.
p. 503; Hewitson, ii. p. 320; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 237.
Platalea leucerodius, Naum. ix. p. 312.
Platea leucorodia, Dresser, vi. p. 319.
Spatule blanche, French; Loffler, Loffel-Reiher, German;
Espatula, Paleton, Cuchareta, Spanish.
This is one of the many species that formerly bred
in various parts of our country, but, owing to drainage,
cultivation, and the gun, is now only known in England
as an accidental and irregular visitor; a few still visit
onr shores almost every year, and I regret to say that
the records of their appearance are generally accompanied
by details of the slaughter of one or more of
these harmless and very ornamental birds.
The Spoonbill still nests annually in Holland, but is
steadily decreasing in numbers in that country, owing to
the causes above mentioned: an interesting account of
the birds and one of their breeding-localities in the
neighbourhood of Amsterdam will be found at p. 240
of the 4th edition of Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ and
Mr. P. L. Sclater and Mr. Seebohm have also recorded
their experiences on the same subject in the ‘ Ibis ’ and
the ‘ Zoologist.’ The nests are generally built on the