GRALLATORI^. 383 



ScoLOPAX; Lin. 



Which we divide as follows, according to the variation in the 

 formof the bill.(l) The 



Ibis, Cuv. 



Separated by us from the Tantalus of Gmelin, because the bill, 

 though arcuated like that of Tantalus, is much more feeble, and 

 has no emargination near its pointj the nostrils also, perforated near 

 the back of its base, are severally prolonged in a groove Which ex- 

 tends to the end. Besides, this bill is tolerably thick and almost 

 square at base, and some part of the head or even of the neck is 

 always destitute of feathers. The external toes are considerably 

 palmated at base, and the thumb is sufficiently large to bear upon 

 the ground. 



Some of them have short and reticulated legsj they are usually 

 the stoutest, and have the largest beak. 



Ibis religiosa, Cuv.; Mou-Hannes, Bruce, It., pi. 35 j Tantalus 

 sethiopicus, Lath.; the adult, Cuv., Oss. Foss. tom. I, and the 

 young, Savign. Descript. de I'Egypte, Hist. Nat. des Ois., pi. 

 7 (The Sacred Ibis), is the most celebrated species. It was 

 reared in the temples of ancient Egypt, with a degree of respect 

 bordering on adoration; and, when dead, it was embalmed. 

 This, according to some, arose from its devouring serpents, 

 which otherwise might have infested the country; others again 

 are of opinion that it took its origin from some relation between 

 its plumage and one of the phases of the moon; while a third class 

 of authors attribute it to the fact that its appearance announced 

 ed the overflow of the Nile.(2) The Tantalus of Africa was 

 for a long time considered as the Ibis of the Egyptians; it is now 

 known to be a bird of the present genus, as large as a Hen, with 

 white plumage, the tips of the wing-quills excepted, which are 

 black; the barbs of the last coverts are slender, and of a black 

 colour, with violet reflections, and cover the tips of the wings 

 and the tail. The bill and feet, as well as the naked part of the 

 head and neck, are black: this part, at an early age, is covered 

 with small blackish feathers, or, at all events, its upper surface 

 is thus furnished. Found throughout Africa.(3) 



(1) This is another of these distinctions and names borrowed by Vieill. (Gal. 

 246) without any acknowledgement, although my memoir upon the Ibis, in which I 

 establish it, is dated fifteen years prior to any of his writings upon birds. 



(2) Savigny, Mem. sur I'lbis. 



(3) There is a neighbouring species in the Moluccas which has a longer beak. 



