THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 67 



IBISES AND SPOONBILLS (Ibidida). 



DIAGNOSIS. Rather large waders, with long bills, curved 

 throughout or expanded at the tip ; all front toes 

 webbed at the base, and well-developed hind-toe. 



SIZE. From that of a crow to that of a goose. 



FORM. Bill long, curved downwards and narrow 

 throughout in Ibises, curved only at the tip and 

 broadened and flattened there in Spoonbills ; feet 

 with long shanks, hind -toe well developed and 

 resting on the ground, all front toes webbed at base. 

 Wings large, rounded at tip ; tail short. Head 

 small, neck long. 



PLUMAGE, ETC. Colouration in masses, usually black, 

 richly glossed, or white ; sexes alike, but fledged 

 young different. Sometimes a seasonal change. 

 Face or head always showing some bare skin. 

 Skin of under side of wings often bright scarlet. 



YOUNG. Hatched downy and helpless, with short 

 beaks of ordinary form ; they thrust these into the 

 mouths of the parents when being fed. 



NEST. A platform of sticks, etc., usually on trees, 

 sometimes on rocks, reeds, or ground. 



EGGS. Several, spotted on a white ground, or plain 

 blue. 



INCUBATION. About three weeks. 



COURTSHIP. Attended with much croaking and erection 

 of the expanded wings. 



FOOD. Insects, crustaceans, small fish, and suchlike ; 

 they eat some little vegetable food also. 



GAIT. A walk ; they seldom run, but can swim 

 on occasion. They perch readily. 



FLIGHT. Strong ; performed by alternate flappings 

 and sailings, with the neck and legs outstretched. 



NOTE. Harsh ; a croak, cackle, or scream. 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are, generally speak- 

 ing, sociable and harmless birds, frequenting, 



5* 



