. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. SPOONBILLS, IBISES, AND STORKS Order HcroJioiics: families Platalcidcc. Ibididar. and Ciconiidcc. HE Spoonbills are distributed quite generally throughout the tropical and sub- tropical regions and are grouped in three genera including five or six species, of which the only American representative is the Roseate Spoonbill. As a family they are gregarious, especially during the breeding period, when they gather sometimes in very large colonies in marshes and bayous and build platform-like nests in low trees or bushes. The eggs number from three to fi
. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. SPOONBILLS, IBISES, AND STORKS Order HcroJioiics: families Platalcidcc. Ibididar. and Ciconiidcc. HE Spoonbills are distributed quite generally throughout the tropical and sub- tropical regions and are grouped in three genera including five or six species, of which the only American representative is the Roseate Spoonbill. As a family they are gregarious, especially during the breeding period, when they gather sometimes in very large colonies in marshes and bayous and build platform-like nests in low trees or bushes. The eggs number from three to five, and are white, spotted with varying shades of brown. Structurally the Spoonbills are similar to the Ibises, except in their pos- session of the curious spoon-shaped bill which gives them their name. This is plainly a special adaptation, and is made use of by the bird in obtaining its food, which consists of frogs, aquatic insects, shellfish, mollusks, and small fish, and which the bird captures by submerging its bill and swinging it from side to side in a semicircular sweep imparted by a corresponding movement of the body. While thus feed- ing the birds stalk about with grave and dignified mien, seldom making long pauses, as do the Herons, to wait for their prey to approach. While resting, either in a tree or on land, they often stand for an hour or more on one leg, after the manner of many of their kind. Their flight is accomplished by an easy flapping operation, and is accompanied by some soaring, with head and legs outstretched meanwhile. The plumage of the Spoonbills varies from almost pure white to the beautiful com- bination of white and rose or pinkish tints which characterize the species found in this country. During the breeding season the adults develop a fine crest, which depends from the nape of the neck. Spoonbills have no true vocal organs, though the windpipe is very [I7,?l. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have be
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