IBIDIN^E. IBIS. 139 



tellate ; toes rather long ; the first on the same plane as 

 the rest, the second considerably shorter than the fourth, 

 both connected with the third by basal webs ; claws small, 

 arched, compressed, tapering. Bare space on the head 

 varying, sometimes extending over a great part of the 

 neck, always including the gular space. Plumage mode- 

 rate ; wings long, broad, of about thirty quills, the second 

 and third longest ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve fea- 

 thers. 



These birds, chiefly inhabitants of warm climates, 

 in their habits and food resemble the Herons, as well as 

 in their mode of nestling. The young remain in the nest 

 until fledged. In Britain only two species occur. 



GENUS CXVIIL IBIS. IBIS. 



The Tantali, of which there are no European species, re- 

 semble Storks or Herons in every respect, excepting the form 

 of the bill, which, although very large and stout, is nar- 

 rowed and arcuate toward the end. The Ibises are similar 

 to the Tantali, but have the bill more attenuated, and ap- 

 proaching in structure to that of the Curlews. They are 

 generally of moderate size, with the body ovate ; the neck 

 long and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed. Bill 

 very long, slender, rather thick at the base, arcuate, taper- 

 ing, compressed, toward the end somewhat cylindrical, and 

 slightly enlarged at the tip, which is obtuse ; upper mandible 

 with the dorsal line arched, the ridge rather narrow, sepa- 

 rated in its whole length by a narrow groove from the sides, 

 which are erect and flat at the base, narrowed and convex 

 toward the end, the edges sharp and direct, the tip rather 

 obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle long, very narrow, 

 with a groove extending from it to the tip, the sides erect 

 and flat, beyond the middle convex, the edges inclinate, the 

 tip obtuse ; the gape -line arcuate, commencing before the 

 eyes. Mouth rather narrow ; upper mandible little concave, 

 with two or four prominent lines ; tongue extremely short, 

 triangular, flat, thin, obtuse ; oesophagus wide ; proventri- 

 culus moderate ; stomach large, broadly elliptical, with its 



