222 THe Birps Asout Us. 
during the prevalence of high winds and in thunder- 
storms, they may be seen collected into numerous 
flocks, driving to and fro, or turning and tacking 
about high in the air, during which evolutions with 
the contending currents of the wind their silvery 
plumage gleams and sparkles with unusual brilliance 
as it reflects the flashing light from amidst the dark 
and hovering clouds.” This superb sight was noted 
by Bartram in the eighteenth century, but few have 
seen it in the present one, and the bird will be a mat- 
ter of “ancient” history before long. 
The Glossy Ibis, so well known the world over, is 
not a common bird anywhere in the United States, 
and only a “ visitor” north of Florida. The following 
is taken from Bonaparte’s very full account of these 
birds, as he had observed them both in Europe and 
in this country : 
«Let it come whence it may, the Glossy Ibis is only an occasional 
visitant of the United States, appearing in small flocks during the 
spring season, at very irregular periods, on the coast of the Middle 
States. The specimen Mr. Ord described, and which produced a 
strong sensation even among experienced gunners and the oldest in- 
habitants as a novelty, was shot on the seventh of May, 1817, at : 
Great Egg Harbor, and we have seen others from the same locality © 
and obtained at the same season, as also from Maryland and Virginia. 
A beautiful specimen, preserved in the American Museum at New 
York, was shot a few miles from that city in June, 1828.... 
United States specimens that have come under my observation were 
all adults. During their stay among us they occupy places near 
marshes and grounds subject to be overflowed, where there are no 
trees, but abundance of grass and plenty of their favorite food. 
They search for this collected in flocks of from thirty to forty, and 
explore the ground with great regularity, advancing in an extended 
line, but closely side by side. When they wish to leave one side of 
the meadow for another, they do not take wing, but walk to the 
