.< 275 ) 



FAMILY TANTALIN.E. 



IBISES. 



GENUS IBIS — CUVIER. 

 IBIS. 



[Bill very long, arched, compressed, slender — higher than broad at the base ; 

 head small, naked ; neck long and slender; wings long; tail short; feet long, 

 slender— anterior toes connected by membranes at base.] 



IBIS ALBA— LINN. 



WHITE IBIS. 



White Ibis, Tantalus albus, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Ibis albs, Bonap. Syn. 



White Ibis, Nuit. Man. 



White Ibis, Ibis alba, Nuit. Man. 



Specific Character — General color of the plumage white, with 

 the ends of the outer primaries black: bill very long, slender, red- 

 dish orange ; neck long, slender ; tail feathers short. Young dull 

 brown, excepting the rump, which is nearly white ; bill grayish 

 yellow ; feet lead color. Length of adult about two feet, wing 

 twelve inches. 



Of the four species of Ibis which have been found within the 

 limits of the United States, the present is the only species which I 

 have any knowledge of ever having been observed in this vicinity, 

 a single specimen of which w r as shot at Ray nor South in the sum- 

 mer of 1836, and is now contained in the cabinet of the New York 

 [late Peale's] Museum. Another, procured at Moriches in the ear- 

 ly part of March, 1843, and which is now in the possession of Mr. 

 Brasher, are the only instances, as far as I have been informed, of 

 its occurring with us. 



"In Florida, the White Ibis is said to be abundant, and is found 

 there at all seasons of the year ; it is likewise not uncommon in the 

 southern part of Louisiana, and in Georgia, though rarely seen 

 north of Carolina." 



