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GLOSSY IBIS. 521 
The geographical distribution of the Glossy Ibis is very similar to that 
of the Spoonbill, but its breeding-colonies are more isolated. It is said to 
breed in Morocco, and certainly does so in Spain and in the delta of the 
Rhone. Its other breeding-colonies are confined to the valley of the Danube, 
the Lower Volga as far north as lat. 48°, and the plains of the Caucasus, 
whence it straggles into North Persia. It is a rare straggler to the rest of 
Europe, having occurred several times in Scandinavia north of the Arctic 
circle, at least once on the Faroes, and five times in Iceland. It breeds 
in suitable localities throughout Turkestan, and was found by Finsch in 
South-west Siberia as far north as lat. 48°. It passes through Afghanistan 
on migration and winters in India. It also breeds in Scind and Ceylon, . 
and is said to be a rare winter visitor to Burma. Its occurrence in China 
is doubtful; but it has occurred, probably during its winter wanderings, in 
Java, Borneo, Celebes, New Guinea, and various localities in Australia. 
It has occurred in most parts of Africa, but it is doubtful whether it breeds 
anywhere except in the north-west. It occurs irregularly in all the 
countries bordering the basin of the Mediterranean. Examples of an Ibis, 
which is said to be undistinguishable from the European species, have 
occurred in various parts of the eastern United States of America; but as 
there are two other nearly allied species found on the American continent, 
and as the breeding-place of the Glossy Ibis in the New World remains 
undiscovered, its occurrence there must for the present be considered 
accidental. Of these American species P. ridgwayi is said to inhabit Peru, 
and P. guarauna is supposed to inhabit the whole of the Neotropical 
Region, extending northwards as far as Texas and California. Both these 
species may be distinguished by having the head brownish chestnut without 
any metallic green gloss. 
The Ibis is only found in Europe during summer. Kriiper says that it 
begins to arrive in Greece at the end of March; but Irby did not observe 
it at Gibraltar before late in April. The Ibis is a thorough Heron in its 
habits and frequents the same districts, but like the Night-Heron it prefers 
the swamps and marshes to the rivers and streams. Its flight resembles 
that of a Heron, or perhaps more that of a Stork, for the legs droop at 
a slight angle from the body and complete the curved line of the beak 
and extended neck. The flight is more rapid than that of either of these 
birds, and is performed by quicker beats of the wings, and every now and 
then it skims along with outspread pinions. The Ibis is very gregarious, 
solitary birds or even pairs are seldom seen; half a dozen or more birds 
fly in company and keep together in a wedge or string, like Cranes or 
Geese. On the ground the Ibis walks sedately like a Heron. It is a very 
silent bird, but when alarmed it is said to utter a harsh croak like that of 
a Heron. 
Its food consists principally of worms, crustacea, small shells, aquatic 
