64 BRITISH BIRDS. 



IN this genus of birds, the bill is long, thick at 

 the base, deflected, point depressed, rounded and 

 obtuse; face, and sometimes the whole head, naked; 

 nostrils linear; tongue short; toes connected at the 

 base by a membrane. 



They moult once a year. The sexes do not 

 differ, except in the smaller size of the female. 

 The plumage of the young birds is in many 

 respects different from that of the adult. 



Temminck regards as fabulous, the reputation 

 which these birds have obtained of being great de- 

 stroyers of serpents and venomous reptiles ; animals 

 which they are never known to touch. 



Two species of the Ibis were held in such venera- 

 tion by the ancient Egyptians, as to have been 

 worshipped and embalmed; numerous mummies of 

 them being found in the great sepulchres of Mem- 

 phis and other cities. 



