48 CICONIIDJE PSEUDQTANTALUS 



but it often stands for considerable periods with its legs either 

 perpendicular or slightly straddled, its back almost in a straight 

 line and its head retracted down between its shoulders. When in 

 this position it has a ridiculous resemblance to an old gentleman 

 standing with his back to the fire, and in consequence it has been 

 frequently made use of by artists in caricature. 



Andersson writes as follows : "It is usually seen in flocks, some- 

 times on the ground, and at others perched on trees. It will remain 

 for hours in the same position with one foot drawn up under its 

 body, and a number of individuals seen in this attitude through 

 the fantastic medium of a mirage, present a singular and ridiculous 

 appearance. It is a true scavenger, feeding on carrion as well as 

 on the most offensive offal ; but it also captures living prey, such 

 as fishes, tortoises and snakes." 



Mr. W. Ayres met with the Marabou near Pretoria, just after 

 the first Boer War ; they came to feed on the dead mules and cattle 

 lying about the camp. Like other Storks the Marabou has no voice 

 organs or voice, but makes a clappering sound by rapidly opening 

 and closing its beak. 



The Marabou gives its name to the beautiful soft white feathers 

 so-called ; they come from the under tail- coverts of the bird, and 

 are obtained not only from the present species, but also from the 

 Indian Adjutant. 



So far as I am aware, the Marabou has not been known to nest 

 within our limits. Piscner, the German collector and naturalist, 

 found a breeding place in East Africa near Kilimanjaro ; the nests, 

 about thirty in number, were built in the highest trees of the band 

 of forest along a river. The eggs are oval, white, and without gloss, 

 measuring about 3*25 x 2'20. 



Genus VII. PSEUDOTANTALUS. 



Type. 

 Pseudotantalus Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v. p. 550 



(1883) P. ibis. 



Bill smooth and long, slightly exceeding the tarsus in length ; 

 the culmen rounded, not ridged and distinctly decurved at the tip ; 

 lower mandible slightly concave between the genys and the tip ; 

 nostrils quite at the base of the bill, oval, and opening into a groove ; 

 crown, occiput, sides of the face and throat bare of feathers, but 

 not the neck ; tail normal ; legs long, the tarsus about twice the 



