82 



Any Swan over 56 inches in length or over 20 pounds in weight is 

 probably of this species. It was at one time a fairly common bird on the 

 Great Lakes, but now is so rare as to be regarded as nearly or quite extinct 

 there. Its breeding range, being considerably south of that of the Whistling 

 Swan and well into what is now fully occupied farming territory, is prob- 

 ably the cause of its rapid extermination. 



Order Herodiones. Deep Water Waders, Herons, Storks, 

 and Ibises. 



General Description. Usually large birds with long legs, neck, and bill, fitted for 

 wading and obtaining food below the surface in rather deeper water than are the majority 

 of waders. Bills may be either straight and sharp (Figure 18, p. 21) or gently curved 

 and blunt as in the Ibises. Legs are bare for a considerable distance above the heel joint 

 and all four toes are perfect, well shaped, and adapted for perching as well as walking 

 on soft ground and with only small rudimentary webs or none (Figure 17, p. 21). 



Distinctions. Birds of this order may be mistaken through this description for either 

 Cranes or one of the Shore birds (Curlews). From the Cranes they can be distinguished 

 by their feathered forehead. The Wood Ibis combines bare forehead and curved bill, but 

 is of very rare occurrence in Canada. From any Shore birds they can be distinguished 

 by the bare space between the eye and the base of the bill. 



The Canadian forms of the order are divided into two suborders: 

 Ibides including Spoonbills and Ibises; and Herodii including Herons, 

 Egrets, and Bitterns. 



SUBORDER IBIDES. IBISES. 



This suborder includes two families: Spoonbills which do not occur 

 in Canada, and Ibididce, only one of which occurs in the Dominion and that 

 rarely. 



FAMILY IBIDIDCE. IBISES. 



General Description. Birds with long, decurved bill quite blunt at the point and 

 the upper mandible grooved throughout its length. 



Distinctions. Curved, blunt, and deeply grooved bill is characteristic. Claw of the 

 middle toe may be broadened and roughened at the edge, but is not perfectly pectinate 

 or furnished with well-formed comb-like teeth as in the heron-like Waders of the suborder 

 Herodii (Compare with Figure 19, p. 21). 



There is only one of these birds, the Glossy Ibis, that may be found 

 in Canada and that only as a casual straggler. 



Genus Plegadis. Glossy Ibis. 



186. Glossy Ibis. BLACK CURLEW. FR. L'IBIS LUISSANT. Plegadis autumnalis. 

 L, 24. Practically an all-black bird with chestnut, green, and purple reflections. Juvenile 

 is brown with head feathers slightly margined with light and with greenish reflections 

 elsewhere. 



Distinctions. The Glossy Ibis looks much like a large Curlew, but its almost black 

 or very dark coloration will distinguish it from th rt Curlew with ease. Its grooved bill 

 (See previous Family, description) otherwise differentiates it. 



Nesting. In reedy swamps or low bushes. 



Distribution. Tropical and subtropical regions. 



The Ibis is well known by name as one of the sacred birds of ancient 

 Egypt. The Glossy Ibis is allied to the Sacred Ibis of the Nile and shows 

 some of its general characters. It appears only occasionally in Canada, 

 along the southern border. 



