IBIDID^. 



THE GLOSSY IBIS. 

 Plegadis falcinkllus (LinnKus). 



The Glossy Ibis is now only of accidental occurrence in the 

 British Islands, but towards the end of the last century its 

 visits appear to have been more frequent, and near Lynn in Nor- 

 folk it was known to gunners and fishermen as the ' Black Curlew.' 

 In the eastern counties and on the estuaries of the south coast it 

 has, naturally, been observed more often than in the west, though it 

 is popularly and erroneously supposed to be the bird called the 

 Liver, figured in the arms of Liverpool ; while northward it is 

 decidedly rare, only six examples having been obtained in Scotland, 

 one of them at Unst, in the Shetlands. In Ireland it has occurred, 

 either singly or in small flocks in the southern and eastern counties, 

 and once near Belfast. As a rule this species visits us in autumn 

 or early winter, but occasionally in spring. 



To the Ftcroes, Iceland, Scandinavia, Denmark, and the Baltic 

 Provinces the Glossy Ibis is a rare straggler ; and anywhere north 

 of the Alpine ranges of Central Europe its appearance can only 

 be considered irreeular. Southwards it becomes common, and is 



