110 MANUAL 



A variety of synonyms are known for these species, old now, the most im- 

 portant of whicli are Tantalus, Ibis, Falcinellus, etc. ; but Tantalus is 

 better restricted to the Wood Ibis and is, even now, preferred by raanj- for 

 that species. 



FAMILY XLIII PLATALEIDAE THE SPOON- 

 BILLS 



Latin plataha, the spoonbill. 

 The Spoonbill resembles the Ibises in very many respects ; 

 but its long, flattened, spoon-shaped bill instantly distinguishes 

 it from anything else in the bird kingdom. The beginning of 

 a gula pouch is also strongly characteristic. Its habitat is 

 much the same as that of the Ibises. 

 Genus, Ajaja, The Roseate Spoonbill. 



The Latin equivalents for Ajaja, still somewhat in use, are Flatalea and 

 Platea. 



FAMILY XLIV CICONIIDAE THE STORKS 



Latin ciconia, a stork. 

 What we call the Stork family differs from the Ibises in that 

 the bill is stouter, is not grooved to tip, tip pointed, nostrils 

 prominent, tarsus long and articulated. Habitat much simi- 

 lar to that of the two preceding families. It has two sub- 

 families, each of a single genus and a single species. 



Sub-family a TANTALINiE Wood Ibises 

 Bill of moderate length with r/ecurved tip. 



Genus, Tantalus, [or Tanialops,'] The Wood Ibis. 

 Formerly called Ibis. 



Sub-family b CICONIIN^ True Storks 



Bill very long, tip /^curved. 



Genus, Mycteria, The American Jabiru. 

 Seldom occurs north of Mexico or Texas. 



FAMILY XLV ARDEIDAE THE HERONS 



Latin arclea, Greek erodas or crodios, a heron. 

 The Herons constitute a very easily determined and inter- 



