THE SACRED IBIS 



Ibis aethiopica 



General plumage white ; a mass of almost hair-like 

 feathers falls over the wings and tail — these feathers are a 

 rich metallic black with deep blue reflections ; head and 

 neck bare of all feathers, showing black wrinkled skin ; beak 

 and legs black ; eyes brown. Length, 28 inches. 



This is one of the birds the selection of which I 

 fully expect to get criticism on. But I have chosen 

 it for two reasons that, I think, justify its inclusion. 

 The first is, that from one cause or another the 

 Sacred Ibis is a bird so wrapped up with all our 

 ideas of Egypt, and almost representative of the 

 birds of Egypt, that most, although they do not 

 know the bird, are interested in its existence. 

 The second is one that follows this known interest, 

 namely, the exposing of the dragoman's oft-repeated 

 impudent lie, that he can, and does, show the new- 

 comer Sacred Ibises, whereas he does not and 

 cannot. 



Why, exactly, this bird was treated with reverence 

 in its lifetime as a sacred being, and embalmed 

 and mummified when dead, is not known. That it 

 was is certain ; and most museums can show many 



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