THE GLOSSY-IBIS 325 



branches : " when seized they clung tightly with their feet, and were 

 with difficulty removed." 



Lord Lilford kept many of these birds in confinement, and found 

 them hardy and practically omnivorous. They generally (but not 

 invariably) chose a high perch when roosting at night. A peculiar 

 attitude was frequently assumed in fine, bright weather in order to 

 get the full benefit of the sun, the bird extending one wing to its full 

 length in an upward direction, and allowing the other to hang limply 

 by its side. 1 



After the breeding season is over small parties of ibises are 

 occasionally met with in the British Islands, and it also occurs at 

 times, though much more rarely, in spring. Most European birds 

 leave in September and October, and make their way across the 

 Mediterranean to Africa. 



1 This attitude is figured in Lilford's Coloured Figures, vol. vii. pi. 17. 



VOL. IV. 2 T 



