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Webster 1913 Edition

(-bĭlˊ)

Noun.

(Zool.)

(a)

Any one of several species of wading birds of the genera

Ajaja

and

Platalea

, and allied genera, in which the long bill is broadly expanded and flattened at the tip.

☞ The roseate spoonbill of America (

Ajaja ajaja

), and the European spoonbill (

Platalea leucorodia

) are the best known. The royal spoonbill (

Platalea regia

) of Australia is white, with the skin in front of the eyes naked and black. The male in the breeding season has a fine crest.

(b)

The shoveler. See

, 2.

(c)

The ruddy duck. See under

(d)

The paddlefish.