SCARLET IBIS. 93 



LThe Scarlet Ibis measures twenty-three inches in length, and 

 thirty-seven in extent; the bill is five inches long, thick, and 

 somewhat of a square form at the base, gradually bent down- 

 wards and sharply ridged, of a black colour, except near the 

 base, where it inclines to red; irides dark hazel; the naked face 

 is finely wrinkled, and of a pale red; chin also bare and wrin- 

 kled for about an inch; whole plumage a rich glowing scarlet, 

 except about three inches of the extremities of the four outer 

 quill feathers, which are of a deep steel blue; legs and naked 

 part of the thighs pale red, the three anterior toes united by a 

 membrane as far as the first joint. 



Whether the female differs in the colour of her plumage from 

 the male, or what changes both undergo during the first and se- 

 cond years, I am unable to say from personal observation. Be- 

 ing a scarce species with us, and only found on our most remote 

 southern shores, a sufficient number of specimens have not been 

 procured to enable me to settle this matter with sufficient cer- 

 tainty. 



Note. It would appear that this species inhabits the western coast of America. 

 In the Appendix to the History of Lewis and Clark's Expedition, Vol. n,p. 514, 

 under date of March 7, the Journalist says, " A bird of a scarlet colour, as large 

 aa a common pheasant, with a long tail, has returned; one of them was seen to- 

 day near the fort." As all long legged birds fly with their legs in a horizontal 

 position, the legs of that above mentioned must have been mistaken for a tail. 



G. Or*. 



