224 CURSORES. 
sun be shining, they appear in their full beauty, and 
the glossy black tips of their wings form a fine con- 
trast with the yellowish white of the rest of their 
plumage. 
“The manner in which this bird searches for its 
food is very curious. The Woodcock and the Snipe, 
it is true, are probers as well as it, but their task 
requires less ingenuity than is exercised by the White 
or Red Ibis. It is also true that the White Ibis fre- 
quently seizes on small crabs, slugs, and snails, and 
even at times on flying insects; but its usual mode 
of procuring food is a strong proof that cunning en- 
ters as a principal ingredient in its instinct. The 
cray-fish often burrows to the depth of three or four 
feet in dry weather, for before it can be comfortable 
it must reach the water. This is generally the case 
during the prolonged heats of Summer, at which time 
the White Ibis is most pushed for food. The bird, 
to procure the cray-fish, walks with remarkable care 
toward the mounds of mud which the latter throws 
up in forming its hole, and breaks up the upper part 
of the fabric, dropping the fragments into the deep 
cavity that has been made by the animal. Then the 
Ibis retires a single step, and patiently waits the re- 
sult. The cray-fish, incommoded by the load of 
earth, instantly sets to work anew, and at last reaches 
the entrance of its burrow; but the moment it comes 
in sight, the Ibis seizes it with his bill.” 
In the localities where the Ibis abounds may also 
be seen the graceful form and beautiful colors of that 
singular bird, the Roseate Spoonbill. It is much to 
ee 
