118 THE WOOD IBIB. 



THE WOOD IBIS. (Tantalus loculatar.) 



The Wood Ibis (says Mr. Wilson) inhabits the lower pai t4 

 of Louisiana, Carolina, and Georgia; is very common in 

 Florida, and extends as far south as Cayenne, Brazil, and 

 various parts of South A.merica. In the United States it u. 

 migratory ; but has never, to my knowledge, been found to the 

 north of Virginia. Its favourite haunts are watery savannas 

 and inland swamps, where it feeds on fish and reptiles. The 

 French inhabitants of Louisiana esteem it good eating. 



With the particular manners of this species I am no^ 

 personally acquainted ; but the following characteristic trait« 

 are given of it by Mr. William Bartram, who had the best 

 opportunities of noting them : — 



" This solitary bird," he observes, " does not associate in 

 flocks, but is generally seen alone, commonly near the 

 banks of great rivers, in vast marshes or meadows, especially 

 such as are covered by inundations, and also in the vast, 

 deserted rice plantations ; he stands alone on the topmost 

 limb of tall, dead cypress-trees, his neck contracted or drawn 

 in upon his shoulders, and his beak resting, like a long 

 scythe, upon his breast ; in this pensive posture, and solitary 

 situation, they look extremely grave, sorrowful, and melan 

 iholy, as if in the deepest thought. They are never ^een 

 on the sea-coast, and yet are never found at a great distance 

 from it They feed on serpents, young alligators, frogs, «q«j 

 other reptiles." 



