SPOONBILL, Platalea, a genus of birds of the Heron family (Ardeidtr), much resem bling storks both in their structure and their habits, but distinguished by the remarkable form of the bill, which is long, flat, broad throughout its whole length, and much dilated in a spoon-like form at the tip. The species are not numerous, but are widely distrib uted. The only European spccis's is, the WiturE SPOONBILL (P. leucorodia), rare in Britain, although in former times, before the draining of the fens in England, it was a more frequent summer visitor. It is common in Holland, in marshy districts through out the northern parts of Europe and Asia in summer, and in the salt marshes of coast of Italy in winter. It also inhabits Africa, and its range extends over the whole of that continent. It is gregarious, and the, flocks of spoonbills generally make their nests in woods, in the tops of lofty trees. It is considerably smaller than the common
heron. Its color is white, slightly tinged with pink; the bill and legs are black. A. curious convolution of the windpipe, in the form of the figure 8, is found on dissection in the adult spoonbill, but does not exist in the young. The flesh of the spoonbill is said to be tender and of good flavor. The spoonbill is easily tamed, is quiet and inof fensive, feeds readily ou any offal.—The ROSEATE SPOONBILL (P. ajaja) is an American species; very abundant within the tropics, and found in the most southern parts of the United States It is nearly equal in size to the white spoonbill, which it resembles in its habits. It is a beautiful bird, with plumage of a fine rose-color, of which the tint is deepest on the wings; the tail-coverts crimson.