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FAMILY TANTALINiE. 



IBISES. 



GENUS IBIS — CUVIER. 



IBIS. 



[Bill very long, arched, compressed, slender — higher than broad at the base ; 

 head small, naked ; neck long and slender; wings long; tail short; feet long, 

 slender — anterior toes connected l.y membranes at base.] 



IBIS ALBA— LINN. 

 WHITE IBIS. 



White IbiB, Tantalus albus, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Ibis alba, Bonap. Syn. 



While Ibis, Nult. Man. 



White Ibis, Ibis alba, Nuit. Man. 



Specific Character — General color of the plumage white, with 

 the ends of the outer primaries black : bill very long, slender, red- 

 dish orange ; neck long, slender ; tail feathers short. Young dull 

 brown, excepting the rump, which is nearly white ; bill grayish 

 yellow ; feet lead color. Length of adult about two feet, wing- 

 twelve inches. 



Of the four species of Ibis which have been found within the 

 limits of the United States, the present is the only species which I 

 have any knowledge of ever having been observed in this vicinity, 

 a single specimen of which was shot at Raynor South in the sum- 

 mer of 1836, and is now contained in the cabinet of the New York 

 [late Peale's] Museum. Another, procured at Moriches in the ear- 

 ly part of March, 1843, and which is now in the possession of Mr. 

 Brasher, are the only instances, as far as I have been informed, of 

 its occurring with us. 



"In Florida, the White Ibis is said to be abundant, and is found 

 there at all seasons of the year ; it is likewise not uncommon in the 

 southern part of Louisiana, and in Georgia, though rarely seen 

 north of Carolina." 



