56 MEXICAN IBIS. 



rump, wings above and below, tail, its upper and under 

 coverts, with the vent, are of resplendent colours, composed 

 of purple, bronze and golden green, the purple predomi- 

 nating on the scapulars and tail; spurious wing and pri- 

 maries golden green, the latter reach to the end of the 

 tail, which is nearly even, or, when closed, subcuneiform, 

 and composed of fourteen feathers; the plumage of the head 

 and neck separates in the manner of that of the domestic 

 goose, presenting an obliquely striated appearance; legs from 

 the body to the end of the middle toe nail thirteen inches; 

 length of leg from the insertion ot the toes to the knee 

 nearly four inches; length of middle toe to the end of 

 the nail three inches, of the back toe one inch and a 

 half; the legs are bare for two inches and three quarters 

 above the knee, and with the feet are of a lead colour, 

 changing to dusky after death; the outer toe is connected 

 to the middle one, as far as the first joint, by a deeply scol- 

 loped web, that which connects the mner toe is not so 

 large; the middle claw is slightly curved outwards, and is 

 dilated on the inner side to a thin edge, which is irregu- 

 larly pectinated; the claws truncate, and of a dark horn 

 colour; bottom of feet lined with a thick granulated 

 membrane. 



The above is a splendid bird, and is a considerable 

 acquisition to the Ornithological Synopsis of the United 

 States. Whether or no it migrates to the north in the 

 vernal, or breeding, season, as the European igneits is 

 said to do, I cannot determine. The other American 

 species of this genus, whose histories have been elucidat- 

 ed, are known to breed in the southern parts of oir con- 

 tinent, where they are constant residents, and where there 

 are extensive tracts cf low marshy lands, productive of 



