GRALL.5:. 



243 



Fig. 120. — Sternum of Glos.oy Ibi.' 



the latter, is much more feeble, and devoid of emargination at the tip ; besides which the nostrils, 

 pierced towards the back and base, are prolonged in a groove which reaches to the end. This beak is 

 also tolerably thick, and nearly square at the base, and some parts of the head or even of the neck are 

 always bare of feathers. The external toes are considerably palmated at base, and the thumb suffi- 

 ciently long to bear upon the ground. [The gradation is, in fact, quite imperceptible from these to the 



Tantals, and the anatomy and character of 

 the plumage concur to show that both natu- 

 rally pertain to the preceding division of Cul- 

 trirostres : we believe the Ibises also build in 

 society upon trees ; and there is certainly no 

 trace of a passage from them into the Scolo- 

 paceous birds.] Some of them have short 

 ^ and reticulated legs ; and these are also more 

 robust, and have a thicker bill. 



The Sacred Ibis (J. religiosa. Nobis ; Abou 

 Hannes, Bruce ; Tantalus ^thiopicus, Latham), is 

 the most celebrated species. It was reared in the 

 temples of ancient Eg^-pt, with a decree of respect 

 bordering on adoration ; and was embalmed after 

 its death. Tliis arose, according' to some, from its 

 devouring serpents, which would otherwise have 

 multiplied to a noxious extent in the country ; while others are of opinion that it took its origin from some rela- 

 tion between its plumage and one of the phases of the moon ; a third class ascribing it to the fact that its appear- 

 ance announced the overflow of the Nile. For a long while, the African Tantal was believed to be the Ibis of the 

 Egyptians, which is now ascertained to be a species of the division we are now treating of, the size of a Fowl, 

 with white plumage,, excepting the tips of the quill-feathers, which are black; the greater coverts [tertiaries] 

 having elongated, slender, and loose barbs, of a black colour with violet reflections, and covering the extremities 

 of the wing and tail. The beak and feet, together with the naked part of the head and neck, are black ; and the 

 latter clothed, in the young, at least the upper surface, with short black feathers.* It is found throughout 

 Africa. 



Other Ibises have scutellated tarsi, and generally a more slender bill. 



The Scarlet Ibis (Scol. rubra, Lin. ; Tantalus ruber, Gm.).— Remarkable for its bright-red colour all over, 

 except the black tips of its wings. The young are at first covered with blackish down, becoming then ash- 

 coloured, and whitish when they begin to fly : in two years the red makes its appearance, the brilliancy of which 

 increases with age. It is found in the hot parts of America, and lives in marshy districts in the vicinity of 

 estuaries ; does not migrate, and is easily rendered domestic. 



The Caossy Ibis (<Sc. /fl!;ci«WZ;«, Lin.).— Body empurpled rufous-brown, with a deep green mantle; the young 

 with the head and neck speckled with whitish. A resplendent species of the south of Europe and north of Africa, 

 and probably that designated Black Ibis by the ancients. [It occurs rarely in the British Isles.] 



The Curlews (Numenius, Cuv.) — 

 Have an arcuated bill like that of an Ibis, but more slender, and round throughout ; the tip of the 

 upper mandible passing beyond that of the lower, and bulging a little downwards in front of it. 

 The toes are palmated at base. 



The AVhaup Curlew (,Sc. arcuafa, Lin.).— Size of a Capon, and brown, with the margins of all the feathers 

 whitish ; the croup white, and tail barred white and brown. It is tolerably good eating, and conimen along our 

 coasts, and as a bird of passage in the interior, [breeding in the upland moors of Britain : its plaintive whistle is 

 well known along the sea-side, and has given rise to its name.] 



The Whimbrel Curlew (Sc. pha-opns, Lin.).— One half smaller, with nearly similar plumage. [Is not quite so 

 common in Britain as the last, and breeds sparingly on our most northern hills. There are several others]. 



The Snipes, properly so called, {Scolopax, Cuv.), — 

 Have a straight bill, with the nasal grooves extending nearly to the tip, which expands a little exter- 

 nally to reach beyond the lower mandible, on the middle of which there is a simple furrow. The tip of 

 the bill is soft and very sensitive, and drying after death presents a punctured surface. The feet are 

 devoid of any palmature. A peculiar character of these birds consists in the compressed form of the 

 head, and the backward site [at least in the larger species, with shorter tarsi], of their large eyes, 

 which imparts a singidarly stupid air, in conformity with their habits. 



We hclieve th«t all birds which Ilivc any naked parts in the adult slate, have invariably the same feathered whe 



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