IBISINJB. 769 



It is stated by Blyth to be rare in Arrakan, but I have seen 

 it common near Kangoon. We have no record of its distribution 

 out of India. 



Another species of this genus, as restricted, is Ihis sfrictipennis, 

 Gould, of Australia, very closely allied to our bird if indeed 

 distinct ; and Honaparte places in this group, Ihis nippon of 

 Temminck, from Japan and China, and /. spinicollis, Jameson, 

 from Australia : the latter, however, seems to be a sort of link 

 between Threskiornis and Geronticus. 



Gen. Geronticus, Wagler. 



Char. — Bill more slender and longer than in the last ; tarsi 

 robust, covered anteriorly with hexagonal scales ; toes somewhat 

 short, stout ; top of the head, only, nude. Plumage dark ; wings 

 long, ample. 



This form differs from the last in its more terrestrial habits. It 

 is found only in the Old World, and chiefly in Africa. 



942. Geronticus papillosus, Temminck. 



Ibis, apud TemmiiNCK, PI. col. 304 — Blyth, Cat. 1621 — Sykes, 

 Cat 190 — Jerdon, Cat. 324:-— Buza, ov Kala buza, H — Karakul 

 or Karankul, in some parts — Nella kankanam, Tel. — Kinp Curlew 

 and Black Curlew of Sportsmen. 



The Warty-headed or Black Ibis. 



Descr. — Head nude, black, with a triangular patch of bright red 

 papillae or warts on the back of the head, the point of the triangle 

 just above the eyes; neck and body above fuscous brown, nearly 

 black on the upper tail-coverts ; wings glossy steel-blue mixed with 

 purple, and a large white patch on the innermost lesser coverts ; 

 tail steel-blue ; quills dusky black ; lower parts dark blackish- 

 brown; under tail-coverts glossed with blue. 



Bill greenish-leaden ; irides dull orange-red ; legs and feet brick- 

 red. Length 25 to 30 inches ; extent 48 ; wing 14 to 15 ; tail 7 ; 

 bill 6, or rather more ; tarsus 3 ; weight S^- fb. Sexes alike. 



This Curlew, as it is generally called, is common throughout 



the greater part of India, and is met with generally in pairs or small 



parties, now and then congregating in flocks. It feeds chiefly on 



dry land, over grass plains, ploughed lands, stubble fields, dry 



PAST II. 5 E 



