TANTALIN^E. 489 



tacea, mollusca, insects, and other small animals form the 

 food of the Tantalinse, of which a few individuals only of 

 two species are rarely met with in this country. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS I. IBIS. IBIS. 



Head small, compressed, oblong, bare before the eyes, 

 often to a greater extent. Bill very long, tapering, slender, 

 compressed, arcuate, obtuse ; the ridge convex, broader 

 toward the end, the sides with a deep narrow groove ex- 

 tending to the tip. Legs very long, slender ; tarsi reticulate, 

 sometimes scutellate ; anterior toes connected by membranes 

 at the base. Wings ample, with the second quill longest. 



1. Ibis Falcinellus. Glossy Ibis. Neck, breast, and 

 lower parts chestnut-red ; back, wing, and tail glossy green, 

 with purple tints. 



GENUS II. PLATALEA. SPOONBILL. 



Head of moderate size, flattened above, bare before the 

 eyes. Bill very long, depressed, contracted in the middle, 

 at the end expanded into a large obovate flat disk. Legs 

 long, rather stout ; tarsus reticulate ; anterior toes connected 

 by membranes at the base. Wings ample, with the second 

 quill longest. 



1. Platalea Leucorodia. Wliite Spoonbill. Plumage 

 white ; the crest tinged with yellow ; the lower part of the 

 neck and a portion of the breast buff-coloured. 



