BIRDS OF 



ORDER HERODIONES. HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, ETC, 



SUBORDER IBIDES. SPOONBILLS AND IBISES. 



FAMILY IBIDID^E. IBISES. 



GENUS PLEGADIS KAUP. 



66. PLEGADIS AUTUMNALIS (HASSELQ.). 186. 



Glossy Ibis. 



Plumage rich dark-chestnut, changing to glossy dark-green with purplish 

 reflections on the head, wings and elsewhere ; bill dark ; young- similar, much 

 duller, or grayish brown, especially on the head and neck which are white 

 streaked. Claws slender, nearly straight ; head bare only about the eyes and 

 between the forks of the jaw. Length, about 2 feet ; wing, 10-11 ; tail, 4 ; 

 bill, 4^ ; tarsus, 3 1-3 ; middle toe and claw, 3. 



HAB. Northern Old World, West Indies, and Eastern United States. 

 Only locally abundant, and of irregular distribution in America. 



The eggs of the Glossy Ibis measure from 1-90 by 1-45 to 2-10 by 1-50, 

 and are of a dull greenish-blue color, without markings. The number usually 

 deposited is believed to be three. 



About the end of May, 1857, Mr. John Bates, whose farm 

 adjoins the creek near the Hamilton waterworks, saw two tired 

 looking birds which he took to be Curlews, circling round with 

 the evident intention of alighting near the creek. Mr. Bates's 

 gun was always in order, and none in the neighborhood at that 

 time knew better how to use it. In a few minutes he 

 picked up a pair of Glossy Ibises, the only birds of the kind 

 which have been observed in Ontario. This pair, which subse- 

 quently came into my possession, were male and female in fine 

 adult plumage ; they are not common anywhere on the Ameri- 

 can continent. Wilson knew nothing of the species nor was it 

 known to naturalists till after his death. 



SUBORDER HERODII. HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS, ETC. 



FAMILY ARDEID^E. HERONS, BITTERNS, ETC. 



SUBFAMILY BOTAURIN^E. BITTERNS. 



GENUS BOTAURUS HERMANN. 



SUBGENUS BOTAURUS. 



67. BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS (MONTAG.). 190. 

 American Bittern. 



Plumage of upper part singularly freckled with brown of various shades, 

 blackish, tawny and whitish ; neck and under-parts ochrey or tawny- white. 



74 



