BAY, OR GLOSSY IBIS. 93 



the extremity. Nostrils in the furrow of the mandible, basal, lateral^ 

 oblonff. Feet rather long and slender, 4 toed ; naked space of the 

 tibia moderate sized ; the anterior toes short, stout, distinctly bordered, 

 somewhat rough beneath, united by a membrane to the first joint ; 

 the hind one, bearing on the ground at the tip. First primary longest. 

 Tail somewhat rounded, of 12 feathers. 



The sexes similar in size and color. The bill shorter and straighter 

 in the young. The moult tardy, and annual. Plumage in all the 

 species very similar. 



These are extremely shy and wary birds, dwelling in the vicinit}* 

 of the sea, and frequenting muddy marshes as well as arid and 

 gravelly shores, feeding principally on worms, insects of the land 

 and water, small shell-fish, fry, and moluscous animals, in the course 

 of the summer advancing inland, in quest of food. Tliey migrate 

 in large flocks, marshalled in long lines, flying rapidly at a great 

 elevation ; but being monogamous, separate into solitary pairs, at the 

 breeding season ; making their nests in marshes, dunes, or herbage, 

 near the sea, laying about 4 eggs, on which both sexes sit in turn. 

 Their voice is loud, plaintive, and whistling. The species are spread 

 over the whole globe : three of these are peculiar to the old contin- 

 ent, and three or four to America. 



