CEYLON WATER BIRDS. 303 
birds of prey and the Steganopodes. The nest is usually a 
platform of twigs placed in a tree, the eggs are, with few 
exceptions, unspotted, while the young are helpless when 
hatched, and require to be fed for some time by the parents. 
The Indian members of the order fall into three sub-orders, 
characterized outwardly as follows :— 
I.—Bill long, either curved downwards or spoon-shaped. 
Platalex (Ibises and Spoonbills). 
II.—Bill long, stout, with no distinct nasal groove, and 
generally straight. 
Ciconie (Storks). 
JIJ.—Bill generally straight, slender, and pointed ; a distinct 
groove running from the nostrils down each side of 
the upper mandible ; claw of middle toe furnished 
with a comb. 
Ardezx (Herons). 
Sub-order PLATALE/L. 
Ibises and Spoonbills. 
The Ibises and Spoonbills are closely related, but have been 
placed in separate families owing to the great difference in the 
beak, the bill curving downwards in the [bidide or Ibises, and 
being straight and spoon-shaped in the Plataleide or Spoon- 
bills. 
Family [pip1p #. 
[bises. 
Ibises are medium-sized birds, with long curving bills and 
legs of comparatively moderate length, the bill being consider- 
ably longer than the tarsus. The nostrils are placed near the 
base of the bill in a groove which extends down the side of the 
upper mandible. Their flight is characteristic : the neck is 
outstretched, as with the stork, but the wing beats are quicker, 
and there are frequent intervals of gliding with the wings held 
steady. They are frequently confused with the Curlews, but 
may be distinguished at once by their having long hind toes 
and perching in trees. 
Two species, placed in separate genera, are found in Ceylon. 
4 6(7)17 
