HABITS OF TiIE STRAW-NECKED IBIS. 



691 



Does there not exist a vast oasis in the centre of Australia, to which the bird migrates 

 when it is not found in the located parts of the country ? We may reasonably suppose 

 such to be the case. 



The Straw-necked Ibis walks over the surface of the ground in a very stately manner ; 

 it perches readily on trees, and its flight is both singular and striking, particularly when 

 large flocks are passing over the plains, at one moment showing their white breasts, and at 

 the next, by a change in their position, exhibiting their dark-coloured backs and snow- 

 white tails. During the large 

 semicircular sweeps they take 

 over the plains, and when per- 

 forming a long flight, they rise 

 tolerably high in the air ; the 

 whole flock then arrange them- 

 selves in the form of a figure or 

 letter similar to that so frequently 

 observed in flights of geese and 

 ducks. 



The note is a loud, hoarse, 

 croaking sound, which may be 

 heard at a considerable distance. 

 When feeding in flocks they are 

 closely packed, and from the con- 

 stant movement of their bills 

 and tails, the whole mass seems 

 to be in perpetual motion. In 

 disposition this bird is rather shy 

 than otherwise ; still, with a very 

 little care, numerous successful 

 shots may be made with an ordi- 

 nary fowling-piece. 



The sexes, when fully adult, 

 exhibit the same beautiful metal- 

 lic colouring of the plumage. The 

 female is, however, smaller, and 

 has the straw-like appendages on 

 the neck less prolonged and less 

 stout than in the male. Mature 

 birds only have the whole of the 

 head and back of the neck quite 

 bare of feathers." 



The colouring of the Straw- 

 iiecked Ibis is very conspicuous, 

 and the lines of demarcation be- 

 tween the different tints are sharply 

 drawn. The head and part of the 

 neck are deep sooty black, which 

 suddenly changes into a beautiful 

 white downy plumage, clothing 

 the remainder of the neck. From 

 the fore part of the neck and 



throat hang a number of delicate fringe-like feathers. The whole of the upper surface 

 is coloured of a deep and glistening green-black, " shot" with purple, and changing its 

 tints at eveiy variation of light. Irregular bars of the same colour as the head are 

 drawn across the back, and the entire under surface is pure white. During the life of 

 this bird the thighs are slightly coloured with crimson, but this tinting soon vanishes 

 after death. 



Y Y 2 



STRAW-NECKED IBIS. Gerdnticus spinicollis 



