MEXICAN IBIS. 5S 



may be incited to re-examine the subject. I may be in 

 error in supposing our bird to be the Alexicanus of the 

 nomenclators; but as I cannot make a comparative exa- 

 mmation of individuals themselves^ Latham's description 

 approaches too near the present subject to allow me to 

 refer it to an)/ other species than that chosen. 



Length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, thirty, 

 one inches, breadth thirty -nine inch s; bill to the angle of die 

 mouth five mches and a quarter, not quite so much deflected 

 as is that of the Scarlet Ibis, of a lead colour, chaiiging to 

 green olive after deaih^ the edges of the mandibles btnclisig 

 inwards; from the nostrils, which arc linear, a furrow runs 

 to the extremity of the upper mandible, which projects 

 be} ond the lower upwards of one tenth of an inch; the 

 lower mandible is canaliculated below to the end, and 

 there is an obsolete furrow on the top of the upper man- 

 dible near the tip; the bill is six tenths of an inch thick 

 at the base, measured horizontally, and seven tenths of 

 an inch thick vertically; the tongue is Srigittate, and eleven 

 sixteenths of an inch from its tip to the acute point of its 

 lateral lobe; the jugular pouch is dusky; the bare skin 

 on the forehead is a trifle more than one tenth of an mch 

 in breadth, it thence extends round to the posterior angle 

 of the eyes, and descends to the jugular pouch along the 

 base of the lower mandible, this skin is w hite; the eye 

 lids and lores dusk} ; eyes dark; the hind head, neck, 

 upper part of the buck, upper scapulars, shoulders of 

 wings, whole lower parts and thighs bright brownish red, 

 that of the upper scapulars and interscapular region is 

 vivid and shining, being dashed with v naceous; head 

 changeable purple; throat below the naked pouch dusky, 

 freckled with red, and with g.cen reflections; the back, 



