58 GRALLATORES. IBIS. IBIS. 



having been traced from Siberia to the isles of Celebes and 

 Java, and it is equally so in Africa. It seems to have been 

 held by the Egyptians in the same sacred estimation as Ibis 

 religlosa (of WAGLEE), or the true sacred Ibis of authors, 

 as its remains are frequently found with those of the last 

 mentioned bird, deposited amongst the mummies of the 

 Egyptian catacombs. Like others of the genus, this species 

 generally lives in societies, and its migrations are performed 

 in numerous flocks. It frequents the banks of rivers, the 

 shores of lakes, and lands that have been recently inun- 

 Food. dated ; feeding on worms, insects, molluscous animals, and 

 certain aquatic plants. The nidification, eggs, and other 

 particulars respecting its propagation, have not been noticed ; 

 and these points, with more extensive information, tending 

 to illustrate the individual habits of the bird, are still want- 

 ing to complete its history. 



PLATE. 



General j n ^he perfect, or adult plumage, the cheeks and crown of 

 tion. the head are of a deep greenish-black, glossed with a 



Adult bird. r j c h metallic purple; the feathers narrow and acumi- 

 nate. The neck, the uppermost part of the back, the 

 breast, the upper ridge of the wings, and under parts 

 of the body, are of a deep reddish (or maroon) brown. 

 The wings and tail, lower part of the back, wing co- 

 verts, and scapulars, are blackish-green, with the richest 

 metallic tints of purple and green, as viewed in different 

 lights. The naked skin extending from the bill to the 

 eyes is green. The bill is blackish-green, in some spe- 

 cimens measuring upwards of six inches in length. 

 Legs and feet are blackish-green : the naked part of the 

 tibia is upwards of two inches long. 



Young PLATE XII. represents the young bird previous to its first 

 moulting, taken from a specimen killed near Rothbury, 

 in Northumberland, and now in my collection. 



