212 IBIDUXE. 



South-African species, and was doubtless this rock-frequenting 

 and migratory bird, which has occurred at Mogador, and is said 

 to have nested among the rocks on the island there. 



General colour iridescent green, with feathers of neck elongated and 

 pointed. Bill, head, bare throat ; and legs red. Length 24 inches. 



227. Plegadis falcinellus (Linn^us). Trie Glossy Ibis. 



Moorish. Maiza (Favier}, Maiza el Wad (D. Hay) (river goat). 

 Spanish. Morito. 



" This bird occurs near Tangier on passage, returning to pass 

 the winter further south. Some must remain to nest in the 

 country ; for they are frequently met with during May, June, and 

 July." Favier. 



We saw great flocks of the Glossy Ibis at the lakes of Eas 

 el Doura towards the end of April ; but they were very wary, as 

 they are in Andalucia, whereas I remember in India we used to 

 walk up to within thirty yards of them. 



When flying they much resemble the Spoonbill in their manner 

 of flight. They nest in Morocco, as I have seen eggs obtained 

 in the country; and in wet seasons they breed in the Soto 

 Torero, near Vejer, and also in the marisma of the Guadalquivir ; 

 but I have no personal knowledge of their nesting-habits. The 

 eggs are of a uniform pale bluish-green colour. Near Gibraltar 

 I have only noticed this Ibis when passing late in April and 

 in May. A female shot at the First River, on the 31st of May, 

 had the gizzard full of minute shrimps ; four eggs in the ovary 

 were slightly enlarged, which tends to confirm what I have heard, 

 that they are late breeders. 



Bill long, curved down (as in Curlew) ; face bare ; general colour 

 chestnut-brown ; the back much glossed with green and purple ; legs 

 greenish grey. Length 22 inches. 



