2o6 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. 



A. O. U. J^o. 187. (Tlegadtj guarauna.) 



RANGE. 



Chiefly southwestern United States. Found occasionally in Oregon, 

 British Columbia, and on the eastern Gulf States. Southwards into 

 South America. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, 24 in.; extent, 38 in.; tail, 4 in. Eye, red. Bill, brownish, 

 changing to reddish towards the tip. Feet and legs dark red. Sides of the 

 head bare between the eyes and bill. Entire under and upper parts a rich 

 glossy purple, the back and wings being very iridescent with blue, green, 

 purple and gold reflections. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



These birds nest by thousands in company with other herons, along 

 lagoons in the southern parts of Texas. They build their nest of dead 

 reeds woven and wound about the living ones, forming a deep structure 

 wholly unlike the slip shod affairs of the herons. The eggs are laid early 

 in May and are three or four in number and of a deep greenish blue color. 



HABITS. 



This is the most common of the Ibises in America, and like all others of 

 the family they are graceful in action and always present a well groomed 

 appearance. On the wing it is not only strong, but swift and graceful. 

 Its wings are extended to the full length and moved in regular succession. 

 Sometimes they will sail along for some distance or soar in half circles. 

 They generally fly quite high and when a large flock alights and also 

 when they take wing the utmost confusion reigns. 



They feed on small fish, mollusks, insects, beetles and various water 

 plants. In search of these they frequently wade quite deep and do not 

 object to occasionally swimming. Although great numbers of the Ibises 

 are shot every year, just for "sport," and thousands of their eggs are 

 taken, still their numbers are so great that probably the protecting arm of 

 the law will extend to their localities in time to preserve them from total 

 destruction. 



