222 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



during the prevalence of high winds and in thunder- 

 storms, they may be seen collected into numerous 

 flocks, driving to and fro, or turning and tacking 

 about high in the air, during which evolutions with 

 the contending currents of the wind their silvery 

 plumage gleams and sparkles with unusual brilliance 

 as it reflects the flashing light from amidst the dark 

 and hovering clouds." This superb sight was noted 

 by Bartram in the eighteenth century, but few have 

 seen it in the present one, and the bird will be a mat- 

 ter of " ancient" history before long. 



The Glossy Ibis, so well known the world over, is 

 not a common bird anywhere in the United States, 

 and only a " visitor" north of Florida. The following 

 is taken from Bonaparte's very full account of these 

 birds, as he had observed them both in Europe and 

 in this country : 



" Let it come whence it may, the Glossy Ibis is only an occasional 

 visitant of the United States, appearing in small flocks during the 

 spring season, at very irregular periods, on the coast of the Middle 

 States. The specimen Mr. Ord described, and which produced a 

 strong sensation even among experienced gunners and the oldest in- 

 habitants as a novelty, was shot on the seventh of May, 1817, at 

 Great Egg Harbor, and we have seen others from the same locality 

 and obtained at the same season, as also from Maryland and Virginia. 

 A beautiful specimen, preserved in the American Museum at New 

 York, was shot a few miles from that city in June, 1828. . . . 

 United States specimens that have come under my observation were 

 all adults. During their stay among us they occupy places near 

 marshes and grounds subject to be overflowed, where there are no 

 trees, but abundance of grass and plenty of their favorite food. 

 They search for this collected in flocks of from thirty to forty, and 

 explore the ground with great regularity, advancing in an extended 

 line, but closely side by side. When they wish to leave one side of 

 the meadow for another, they do not take wing, but walk to the 



