58 IBIS ALBA. 



and heavy thnnder storms, to observe the numerous 

 squadrons of these Spanish curlews, driving to and fro, 

 turning and tackinir about hi;h up in the air, when, by 

 their various evolutions in the different and eppoflitt 

 currents of the wind, high in the clouds, their silvery 

 white plumage gleams and sparkles like the brightest 

 crystal, reflecting the sunbeams that dart upon them 

 between the dark clouds." 



The white ibis is twenty-three inches long, and 

 thirty-seven inches in extent ; bill formed exactly like 

 that of the scarlet species, of a pale red, blackish towards 

 the point ; face a reddish flesh colour, and finely wrinkled; 

 irides, whitish ; whole plumage pure white, except about 

 four inches of the tips of the four outer quill-feathers, 

 which are of a deep and glossy steel blue ; legs and 

 feet pale red, webbed to the first joint. 



These birds I frequently observed standing on the 

 dead limbs of trees, and on the shore, resting on one 

 leg, their body in an almost perpendicular position, the 

 head and bill resting on the breast. This appears to be 

 its most common mode of resting, and perhaps sleeping, 

 as, in all those which I examined, the plumage on the 

 upper ridge of the neck and upper part of the back, was 

 evidently worn by this habit. The same is equally 

 observable on the neck and back of the wood ibis. 



The present species rarely extends its visits north 

 of Carolina, and even in that State is only seen for a 

 few weeks towards the end of summer. In Florida 

 they are common, but seldom remove to any great 

 .distance from the sea. 





