GLOSSY IBIS. 339 



with wliicli even Ihis has, it is true, more real, though less apparent 

 affinity than with Scolopaeidce : as for Tantalus there could be no doubt. 

 Goldfuss has done the same. 



The Tantalidce all have a very long bill, stout at the base, subulate, 

 falcate, and cylindrical at tip, the edges bent in and sharp. Their 

 corneo-membranous tongue is remarkably short, flat, cuneate-acuminate, 

 entire, postei'iorly furcate-emarginate. Their face is destitute of 

 feathers, and their throat somewhat dilatable into a pouch. Their neck 

 is long. Their feet long, equilibrate, and always four-toed : the naked 

 space of the tibia considerable : the toes long, bordered with a narrow 

 membrane connecting the fore toes at base. The hind toe is articulated 

 with the tarsus low down, and is half as long as the middle, bearing 

 with its whole length on the ground. The wings are moderate, obtuse, 

 tubercular. The tail short, composed of but twelve feathers. The 

 falcate shape of the bill will at once distinguish them from any of the 

 Ardeidce ; and the nakedness of the face from the Scolopaeidce. 



The Ihis may be known from the true Tantalus by having a compara- 

 tively slender bill, depressed and curved from the base ; instead of 

 being very stout at the base, compressed, and curved only towards the 

 tip. In Ibis, the upper mandible is deeply furrowed its whole length, 

 and entire. In Tantalus it is not furrowed, and is notched. The nos- 

 trils are pervious and wide open in the latter ; half closed by a mem- 

 brane in the former. The head is warty and entirely bald in Tantalus, 

 while in Ibis the nakedness generally extends over the face and throat 

 merely. 



Tantalus only contains four species, one in each of the five divisions 

 of the globe, Europe excepted. In Ibis there are about twenty well 

 ascertained species, three inhabiting the United States, of which the 

 present is the only one that ever visits Europe. In South America are 

 found several beautiful species. The true Ibises may be subdivided 

 into two secondary groups ; those with the tarsi reticulated, and those 

 which like the present species have them scutellated. The former have 

 shorter feet, and by their stouter bill, and the more extended nudity of 

 the face, approach nearest to the Tantali. Temminck wishes to divide 

 them into the sections Sylvains and Riverains. Dr. Wagler distributes 

 them into three sections, which he calls Ibides lepopodice, Ibides aspido- 

 lepopodice, and Ibides aspidojjodia; ! this last section being formed for 

 our species alone, principally on account of its having the middle toe- 

 nail pectinated. 



In the Ibises, as in their kindred Tantali, the females are consider- 

 ably smaller than the males, but perfectly like them in colors. The 

 young differ greatly from the adults until the third year. Their moult 

 is annual and regular. 



They are dull and stupid birds, fearless and allowing of a very closo 



