1877.] MR. D. G. ELLIOT ON THE IBIDIN.-E^ 481 



kept in one genus, or else a number of genera must be recognized ; 

 for there is very great variation among the members of the subfamily 

 in the extent and mode of distribution of the bare skin upon the head, 

 face, and neck, as well as in the shape and presence of the scntella 

 upon the tarsi. Of the twenty-two genera [)roposed at different 

 periods by successive writers, as given below, I have retained nineteen, 

 which seem to be sufficient to include all the species known to 

 ornithologists at the present day. I commence my arrangements of 

 these birds with the genus Ihis, formed by Savigny for the sacred Ibis 

 of the ancients {Tantalus cBthiopicus, Lath.), This genus contains 

 three species, conspicuous for having the head and neck entirely de- 

 nuded of feathers. This is succeeded by Thaumatibis, instituted for 

 the extraordinary bird having a body in form and size like a Tantalus, 

 but with the head and feet of an Ibis, — to be followed by Graptoce- 

 phalus, with its single species, having a curiously coloured head and 

 neck, and a skull similar in shape to its gigantic predecessor. There 

 is now a gap, and the genus I place next seems to be as well fitted in 

 here as anywhere ; for, as in all other groups of birds, there are also 

 missing links among the Ibidiuse, that we are not able to supply, 

 the species which would have fitted the gap having probably long 

 since become extinct. Carphibis therefore comes here, with its 

 single species, having the head and throat bare, the neck only partially 

 so. Inoeotis succeeds, containing the curious bird with the back of 

 the head covered with scarlet papillae ; and this is followed by 

 Comatibis with one species. Geronticiis is next, with one species ; 

 after which is Phimosus, also with one species, having top and sides 

 of head and throat nude ; followed by Nipponia, with the bare space 

 like the other, but not continuing onto the throat. All the species 

 thus far have the head mostly denuded of feathers, and form a kind 

 of group by themselves, separated, in a measure, from the other 

 members of the Ibidinse, which have the top of the head covered with 

 feathers. Of this second section, Cercibis is first, with one species, 

 followed by Theristicus, with also only one member ; after which 

 comes Lophotibis, formed for the beautiful bird from Madagascar ; 

 and this is followed by Hagedashia with only one species. We now 

 reach Bostrychia with its single species, remarkable for the 

 lengthened wattle pendent from the throat ; and this is succeeded by 

 Harpiprion with only one member, which is followed by Mohjbdo- 

 phanes with but a single species. Falcinellus comes next, with four 

 species, the largest number that any of the genera contain, suc- 

 ceeded by Lampribis with its single species, distinguished from the 

 members of the previous genus by the bare skin including and 

 extending considerably behind the eye, and reaching all round the 

 base of the bill, and from the next genus by having a feathered 

 throat. The last is Eudocimus with two species, the well-known 

 white and red Ibis. 



Genera. 

 Many genera have been proposed for the dififerent species con- 

 tained in this paper, more, perhaps, than are strictly required. Some 

 Proc. Zool. Soc— 1877, No. XXXI. 31 



