WHITE IBIS. 113 



previous to the period of their migration back again to the 

 South, which takes place on the return of cool weather. Their 

 food and haunts are altogether similar with those of the pre- 

 ceding species, and, like them, they seldom remove to any great 

 distance from the sea. Mr. Bartram remarks that " they fly 

 in large flocks or squadrons, evening and morning, to and from 

 their feeding- places or roosts, and are usually called Spanish 

 Curlews. They subsist principally on cray-fish, whose cells 

 they probe, and with their strong pinching bills drag them 

 out." They also feed on fry and aquatic insects, and their 

 flesh is sometimes eaten, but not much esteemed. 



Birds of this species may frequently be seen standing on 

 the dead branches of trees and on the shore, resting on one 

 leg, with the body in an almost perpendicular position, and the 

 head and bill resting on the breast, — which, indeed, appears 

 to be their common mode of reposing, in consequence of 

 which, and as a proof of the habitual indolence of the species, 

 the plumage, as in the Wood Ibis, on the ridge of the neck 

 and upper part of the back, is evidently worn by the constancy 

 of this habit. 



Sometimes, according to Bartram, 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 tack- 

 ing 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. 



The White Ibis has been until quite recently a common bird in 

 some localities in the Southern States. It occurs regularly on the 

 Atlantic shore to North Carolina (occasional stragglers have been 

 seen in New Jersey), and along the valley of the Mississippi 

 ranges farther north, — to Indiana and southern Illinois. 



VOL. II. — 8 



