GENUS 70. TANTALUS. IBIS. 

 SPECIES 1. TANTALUS LOCULATOR. 



WOOD IBIS. 

 [Plate LXVL Fig. 1.] 



Le grand Courli d'Jlmerique, BRISS. v, p. 358. 8. Couricaca, 

 BUFF, vn, p. Q7Q.Pl. Enl 868. CATESB. i, 81. Arct. Zool. 

 JVo. 360. LATH. Syn. m, p. 104. PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 3862. 



THE Wood Ibis inhabits the lower parts of Louisiana, Caro- 

 lina, and Georgia; is very common in Florida, and extends as 

 far south as Cayenne, Brazil, and various parts of South America. 

 In the United States it is migratory; but has never, to my know- 

 ledge, been found to the north of Virginia. Its favourite haunts 

 are watery savannahs and inland swamps, where it feeds on 

 fish and reptiles. The French inhabitants of Louisiana esteem it 

 good eating. 



With the particular manners of this species I am not person- 

 ally acquainted; but the following characteristic traits are given 

 of by it Mr. William Bartram, who had the best opportunities 

 of noting them. 



" This solitary bird," he obeserves, " does not associate in 

 flocks; but is generally seen slone, commonly near the banks of 

 great rivers, in vast marshes or meadows, especially such as are 

 covered by inundations, and also in the vast deserted rice plan- 

 tations; he stands alone, on the topmost limb of tall dead cypress 

 trees, his neck contracted or drawn in upon his shoulders, and 

 his beak resting like a long sithe upon his breast; in this pen- 

 sive posture, and solitary situation, they look extremely grave, 

 sorrowful and melancholy, as if in the deepest thought They 

 are never seen on the seacoast, and yet are never found at a 



