402 GLOSSY IBIS. 



This appears to be merely the winter quarters of the White Ibises, for in spring, they re- 

 treat to the coast, mainly on the west side of the peninsula, to breed. At this season, the 

 gular sac beneath the bill, undergoes a singular change, becoming greatly thickened and 

 much brighter in color. The white Ibises now choose islands along the unfrequented por- 

 tion of the coast as breeding places, building their nests on the low mangroves or bushes. 

 They also roost in similar places, flying into the interior to feed. I have always found this 

 species very shy and difficult to approach, especially when feeding, but when they have" 

 had their fill of crawfish and other small crustaceans, of which they are very fond, and are 

 resting on the bushes, they may be approached quite closely by using caution. They are 

 very difficult to kill and when only winged, run nimbly through the tangled thickets, so 

 that it is not easy to capture one in this condition. 



IBIS FALCINELLUS. 



Glossy Ibis. 

 Ibisfalcinellus VIEILU, Orn. Diet; 1816. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. Cn. Form, robust. Size, large. Tongue, short, and gradually tapering toward tip which is pointed. Outer 

 marginal indentations, narrow, but as deep as inner. 



COLOR. Adult. Rich chestnut-brown throughout, with top of head, nape, both sides of wings, excepting lower cov- 

 erts, and tail, metallic green with a purplish iridescence. Iris, red. 



Youny. Similar to the adult but the head and neck are grayish and the feathers are more or less edged with white. 

 Iris, brown. Bill and feet, dark-brown, in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Specimens of the Glossy Ibis from the East Coast, which I have examined, appear to differ from the well-known Texas 

 form in having no white on the face, thus it remains to be decided whether our birds are stragglers from across the Atliin- 

 tic or whether they come to us from South America. Readily known by the chestnut color as described Not uncommon 

 in Florida and rare in the Northern States. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from Eastern North America. Length, 25'00, stretch, 33'00; wing, 11'50; tall, 

 4'25; bill, 4'25; tarsus, 3'25. Longest specimen, 26'00; greatest extent of wing, 36-00; longest wing, 12'50; tail, 4'50; bill, 

 4'50; tarsus, 3'50. Shortest specimen, 24'00; smallest extent of wing, 30-00; shortest wing, 10'50; tail, 4'00; bill, 4'00; tar- 

 sus, 3-00. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed m trees or low bushes, composed of sticks, loosely arranged. Eyys, two or three in number, varying 

 from elliptical to oval in form, deep greenish-blue in color, unspotted. Dimensions from T37x 1'85 to I'SOx 2'15. 



HABITS. 



* 



The first time that I ever met with the Glossy Ibises, was at Lake Harney, many 

 years ago. I had pitched my tent on the eastern shore, and taking my gun, walked out 

 into the piney woods. I had not gone far, when I saw a flock of Ibises, which I at once 

 recognized as being the Glossy, feeding around a small, shallow pool. I approached them 

 rather carelessly, thinking that they would be quite tame, as the country was then a per- 

 fect wilderness, but before I had gone within gun-shot, they rose, as if by common con- 

 sent, and flew rapidly away over the lake, and I never saw them again. 



The next time that I met with them, I was far up the St. John's, when a flock con- 

 sisting of a half dozen specimens, came dashing down the river, and flying very irregularly, 

 passed within a few yards of me, but so quickly that I did not have time to raise my gun. 

 Thus my acquaintance with this species is not very extended, but I do not think that they 



