[page 2]
"It surely does look funny," laughed Peggy Ann.

"You may laugh and think it looks funny, but I would have you
know, Peggy Ann, that it is very useful to me, and all spoonbills in getting
food. As a family, we are very sociable birds, and enjoy flocking together
at mealtimes. First we find a shallow pool and lower our bills into the
water, often right up to our eyes. Then, in this position, we move forward
quickly, swinging our heads from side to side and using our bills to search
for food. After perhaps a dozen of these swings, we lift our heads out of
the water. We stand quietly, working our bills to and fro, grinding our
food, and greatly enjoying our dinners." (12: p.110)

"What do you eat that tastes so good?" asked Peggy Ann.

"Mostly small fish, frogs, shrimp, beetles, or bugs found on the
bottom of shallow pools." (12: p.110)

"Oh!" said Peggy Ann, "you must look odd standing in the
swamp or pool, munchi
ng your dinner, just like a cow chews its cud."
(12: p.112)
"If you think our way of eating is odd, then perhaps you will like
the color of our plumage. Why, there isn't another wading bird in Florida
nor in North America with such brilliant feathers as ours. (2: p.142)

"The main color of our body, which is 32 to 35 inches long, is rich
pink and on each wing is a deeper pink, almost crimson. (2: p.142)