SCARLET IBIS. b^ 



July and August,) into Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and 

 South Carolina ; but retire into Mexico, or the Carribbean 

 islands, at the approach of cool weather. They generally 

 associate in numbers, frequenting the borders of the sea, 

 and the banks and estuaries of neighboring rivers, feeding 

 on small fry, shell-fish, Crustacea, worms, and insects, which 

 they collect at the ebbing of the tide. They are said to be 

 in the habit of perching on trees in companies ; but lay their 

 eggs, which are greenish, on the ground, amidst the tall 

 grass of the marshes, on a slight nest of leaves. When just 

 hatched the young are black, soon changing to grey, but are 

 nearly white before they are able to fly ; by degrees they at- 

 tain their red plumage, which is not complete until the third 

 year. The young and old associate in distinct bands. In 

 the countries where they abound they are sometimes domes- 

 ticated, and accompany the poultry. The Ibis shows great 

 courage in attacking the fowls, and will even defend itself 

 from the insidious attacks of the cat. It is generally esteem- 

 ed as good food ; and its rich and gaudy plumage is used 

 by the Brazilians for various ornaments. 



The Scarlet Ibis measures 23 inches in length ; and 37 in alar extent. 

 The bill is 5 inches long, thick, and of a somewhat square form at 

 the base, gradually bent downwards, and sharply ridged; black, ex- 

 cept near the base, where it inclines to red. Iris dark hazel. The 

 face naked, slenderly wrinkled, and of a pale red. Chin bare, and 

 also wrinkled. Whole plumage of a rich and glowing scarlet, except 

 about 3 inches of the extremities of the 4 outer quill feathers, which 

 are of a deep steel blue. Legs pale red ; the three anterior toes united 

 by a membrane as far as the first joint. 



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