IBIS. GRALLATORES. IBIS. 55 



others reticulated, or covered with hexagonal scales. Claws 



either straight and long, with the middle one imperfectly 



serrated or pectinated, or strong, short, and much arched, 



and entire. 



Tail extending beyond the wings, when closed ; square 



and equal, or conico-elongate ; formed of twelve feathers. 

 Wings long ; the second and third quills being the longest, 

 In plumage, the species with feathered heads and necks 



have the feathers long, adpressed, narrow and acuminate. 



The wings and tail of most of the species have a bronzed or 



metallic lustre. 



In works which treat of the ornithology of a limited dis- 

 trict, or particular country, where the genera are restricted, 

 and comparatively few in number, it must be expected that 

 many forms, which serve to unite the different orders, fami- 

 lies, and genera together, will necessarily be wanting ; and 

 that, under such circumstances, many birds must appear (as 

 it were) isolated ; and that a very imperfect idea can be con- 

 veyed of that admirable circular succession of affinities that 

 actually exists throughout the feathered class. Such is the 

 case with respect to the present genus, which, placed upon 

 the limits of the family of Ardeadce, and viewed as an iso- 

 lated group, seems so far removed from the more typical 

 species, is yet (through the intervention of other genera, 

 such as Tantalus, &c.) closely and intimately connected with 

 it. The modification of the form, however, which it has un- 

 dergone, prepares it as a link of connexion between the Ar- 

 deadfE and the succeeding family of Scolopacida ; and this is 

 beautifully effected through the genus Numenius (Curlew). 



The genus Ibis, as at present constituted, might perhaps 

 with propriety admit of still further division, as several 

 species possess characters, which others seem either totally to 

 want, or have in a greatly modified degree ; but as I have 

 not had an opportunity of examining and comparing all the 

 known species with the requisite care and attention, before 

 such division could properly be attempted, I have merely 



