SCARLET IBIS 



185. Guard rubra. 25 in. 



This beautiful species is wholly bright scarlet, except 

 for the black primaries; young birds are found in all 

 stages of plumage from the brownish-gray and white of 

 the first year birds, to the full plumage of the adults. 



This is a tropical- ibis that abounds in northern South 

 America, but is yearly decreasing in numbers, owing 

 to the persistency with which they are hunted, their 

 feathers being much in demand for tying trout flies, as 

 well as for decorating hats, a barbarous practice that 

 is being stopped in this country, by legislation and 

 public sentiment. 



Nest. In rushes or mangroves like that of the last 

 species; the eggs are the same size but average brighter 

 in color (2.25x 1.60). 



Range. Northern South America, casually north to 

 the Gulf States, but has not been reported for years 

 in our country. 



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