108 CICONIID.E. 



wholesome respect in all the dogs and cats, but was very peaceable as a 

 rule. One of our men had played some trick on him, however; and the 

 result was that Byles generally went for him on every possible occasion, 

 his long legs covering the ground like those of an Ostrich, while he pro- 

 duced a demoniacal row with his bill. It was amusing to see his victim 

 dodging him all over the place, or sometimes, in desperation, turning on 

 him with a stick ; but Byles evaded every blow by jumping eight feet into 

 the air, coming down on the other side of his enemy, and there repeating 

 his war dance ; while he always threatened (though his threats were never 

 fulfilled) to make personal and pointed remarks with his formidable bill. 

 " Shortly after his capture feathers began to appear ; and the following 

 is a description of the bird at the age of about two months : Tail- 

 feathers white, remainder of plumage glossy green-black ; bill black ; 

 legs and feet grey. Spots and patches of white began to appear on head, 

 back, and wings ; these gradually extended, until, by the end of May, 

 the adult plumage was all acquired. Then my interest in Byles ceased, 

 and latterly he strayed away to his native swamps." 



326. TANTALUS LOCULATOR, Linn. 

 (THE WOOD-IBIS.) 



Tantalus loculator, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 510 (Rio Parana); Scl. et 

 Salv. Nomencl. p. 126 ; Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 272 (Entrerios) ; Baird, 

 Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A. i. p. 81. 



Description. Plumage white, greater wing-coverts and wing- and tail-feathers 

 black with bronzy reflexions ; head and upper half of neck naked, dusky ; vertex 

 covered with a horny plate ; bill yellowish "brown ; sides of head purplish ; feet 

 bluish : whole length 44-0 inches, wing 17'0, tail 6'0. Female similar. 



Hob. North and South America. 



Most people in the Plata region are familiar with this bird of the 

 marshes, its lofty stork-like figure and white plumage making it a very 

 conspicuous object. 



On the pampas it is not uncommon in summer and autumn, and goes 

 in flocks of a dozen or twenty. The birds are usually seen standing 

 motionless in groups or scattered about in spiritless attitudes, apparently 

 dozing away the time. On the wing it appears to better advantage, 

 having a singularly calm stately flight ; on a warm still day they are 

 often seen soaring in circles very far up in the sky. 



I have never heard of this bird nesting on the pampas, and am inclined 

 to think that it only breeds in forest-regions, and visits the marshes in 

 the treeless districts after the young have flown. 



