countries far inland, except on the banks of the larger rivers; but Holland is its favourite residence. Shy and retiring, it prefers the more remote marshes, the mouths of rivers, and the borders of lonely sheets of water surrounded by wood; but it soon becomes familiar in captivity. Its visits to our island, though not very rare, are merely accidental; doubtless, however, if undisturbed, it would sojourn here during the summer.

The general plumage of the Spoonbill is white, with the exception of a pale reddish yellow band on the chest ; the head being ornamented with a beautiful pendent crest of pale buff or yellow. Bill, black with a yellow tip; legs, black. Total length, two feet six inches.

The next genus, Phoenicopterus, contains that remarkable bird the Flamingo, of which two species, if not three, are recognised; for it is probable that the Flamingo of America will be found to be truly different from the Flamingos of the old world. The principal characters of this genus are as follows. Bill strong, large, conical towards the point, and the upper mandible bent at a sud

HEAD OF FLAMINGO.

den angle; the lower mandible the largest, and each having serrated edges. Tarsi very long; the toes united

as far as the claws by intervening membrane. Wings moderate.

The remarkable figure and proportions of the FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus ruber) at once indicate it to be a genuine wader. It is, indeed, a bird expressly qualified for the situation assigned it; low muddy coasts, near the mouths of the larger rivers, the borders of saline marshes,

creeks, lagoons, and inland seas, being its places of residence. Its neck is slender and of great length; in the specimen before us it measures two feet, and the legs the same; the body being less than that of a common goose, slender, and tapering; thus it is enabled to wade through shallows and morasses with great security: but as the Flamingo frequents the coast of the sea and the adjacent marshes, the power of swimming is granted to it as an additional provision, and its toes are partially webbed;

thus it may fearlessly venture even beyond its depth, nor fear being carried away by the retiring tide. Its food consists of small fish, shells, and water insects, for the capture of which its beak is most singularly constructed; in length it is nearly five inches, the upper mandible is bent downwards in the middle, at an acute angle, as if broken, the space from the angle to the point being a broad flat plate, of a somewhat oval figure; the lower mandible, which is the largest, is so adjusted as to fit the angle with its edges, its under surface being gently arched downwards. The edges of both mandibles are furnished with a row of serrations or tooth-like eminences, those of the upper being the largest. The use of these is like a strainer, for allowing the water to pass through, but retaining any small body, as an insect or a fish, for farther investigation. In searching for food among the mud at the bottom of waters, the upper and not the under mandible is applied to the ground; the flat portion of its surface being well adapted for pressing close down upon the soft bed of the marsh or creek; hence in that situation the inferior mandible is placed uppermost, and by its motion works the disturbed and turbid water through the two, as we see in ducks and other aquatic birds. The tongue is large and fleshy, and the sense of taste probably

acute.

The Flamingo inhabits a wide range over the hotter portions of the globe; it is found along the borders of the Mediterranean, in small flocks; abounds on the coast of Africa from north to south, and on the adjacent isles; and visits the shores of the Caspian Sea. In the warmer latitudes of America it is also very common, especially on the coasts of Peru, Chili, Brazil, the island of Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Timid and distrustful, it does not readily allow itself to be approached by man; hence, in order to get within gunshot of a flock, it is necessary to have recourse to stratagem.

During the greater part of the year, the Flamingo associates in flocks, which, however, separate for the purpose of breeding.

The mode of incubation adopted is not a little curious; if its nest were constructed like that of birds in general, its long limbs would prove awkward impediments, continually in the way. Besides, the Flamingo never sits down, but rests standing on one leg. To obviate every inconvenience, and produce a harmony unbroken even in minor details, (as is indeed ever observable in nature,) the instinct which the almighty Creator has implanted in this bird teaches it to build a nest accommodated to its form and habits. The Flamingo raises a nest, if nest it can be called, of mud in the form of a hillock, and slightly concave at the top; here the female lays two large white eggs, and sits to hatch them, her legs hanging down on each side of this singular mound, and the toes just touching the earth at its base. It is also said, that when circumstances do not permit the formation of such a pyramid of mud, the bird avails itself of any natural bank or projecting ledge of rock. The height of the Flamingo in its natural attitude is about four feet; when in full plumage, its colour is extremely rich and brilliant, being of a fine deep scarlet on the back, and roseate on the wings, the quill-feathers of the wings being jet black. A flock of these tall and splendid birds, moving about on the beach, their plumage reflecting the glowing rays of the sun in a tropical clime, is a sight never to be forgotten. The full plumage of this bird is, however not attained until its third year: the first year its livery is of a grayish clouded white; the second, the white is purer, but the wings are tinted with a beautiful rose colour; on the third year, it attains the last stage, which remains, the hues becoming only more intense during the succeeding years. The flesh of this bird, though not very palatable, is occasionally eaten: among the luxurious Romans of ancient days, its tongue was reckoned an especial delicacy.

Passing over the genus Tantalus, which is characterized by a beak slightly arched at the point, and contains several species much resembling the crane in their general manners, we shall conclude the family Ardeidae by a few observations on the genus Ibis; a genus which leads off

to our next family, and departs in several respects from the more typical forms of the present. The bill we find to be long, slender, arched, somewhat stout and square at the base, furrowed through its whole length, blunt, and rounded at the tip; nostrils placed near the base, in the beginning of the furrow; face, and often the neck, destitute of feathers; the tarsi of moderate length; the toes before, joined as far as the first joint by membrane; wings moderate.

The birds of this genus are very extensively distributed, various species occurring in every quarter of the globe. They habitually frequent the borders of lakes and rivers, and abound most in countries subject to periodical inundations. Worms, insects, reptiles, and even vegetable matters, constitute their food. They dwell together in large flocks, and in most countries are periodically migratory.

Europe presents us with but one species, the GLOSSY IBIS, (Ibis Falcinellus, TEMM.) which in large flocks annually visits the borders of the Danube, Poland, and Hungary, and occasionally other parts still more to the west, as Switzerland, Holland, and even England. It breeds in Asia; but nothing is known of its nest or eggs. Its general plumage above is glossy black, with bronze and purple reflexions; below, bright chestnut.

The tropical regions of America, the native country of the most brilliant and gorgeous of the feathered tribes, presents us with an Ibis which stands unrivalled in the richness of its hues; it is the SCARLET IBIS, (Ibis rubra.) This beautiful bird is found in the southern parts of Carolina, in East Florida, and several of the West India islands, Guiana, and the adjacent countries. It frequents the borders of the sea, creeks, and the mouths of rivers, feeding on small fish, marine insects, sea-worms, young crabs, &c. It is said to perch often on trees, but to breed on the ground. Little, however, is known of its manners in a state of nature, except that it associates in flocks, the old and young forming separate companies.