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GRALLATORIA, 383 
ScoLopax, Lin. 
Which we divide as follows, according to the variation in the 
form of the bill.(1) The . 
Isis, Cuv. 
Separated by us from the Tantalus of Gmelin, because the bill, 
though arcuated like that of Tantalus, is much more feeble, and 
has no emargination near its point; the nostrils also, perforated near 
the back of its base, are severally prolonged in a groove which ex- 
tends to the end. Besides, this bill is tolerably thick and almost 
square at base, and some part of the head or even of the neck is 
always destitute of feathers. The external toes are considerably 
palmated at base, and the thumb is sufficiently large to bear upon 
the ground. 
’ Some of them have short and reticulated legs; they are usually 
the stoutest, and have the largest beak. 
Ibis religiosa, Cuy.; Abou-Hannes, Bruce, It., pl. 353 Tantalus 
zthiopicus, Lath.; the adult, Cuv., Oss. Foss. tom. I, and the 
young, Savign. Descript. de Egypte, Hist. Nat. des Ois., pl. 
7 (The Sacred Ibis), is the most celebrated species. It was 
reared in the temples of ancient Egypt, with a degree of respect 
bordering on adoration; and, when dead, it was embalmed. 
This, according to some, arose from its devouring serpents, + 
which otherwise might have infested the country; others again 
are of opinion that it took its origin from some relation between 
its plumage and one of the phases of the moon; while athird class 
of authors attribute it to the fact that its appearance announced 
ed the overflow of the Nile.(2) The Tantalus of Africa was 
for a long time considered as the Ibis of the Egyptians; it is now 
known to be a bird of the present genus, as large as a Hen, with 
white plumage, the tips of the wing-quills excepted, which are 
black; the barbs of the last coverts are slender, and of a black 
colour, with violet reflections, and cover the tips of the wings 
and the tail. The bill and feet, as well as the naked part of the 
, head and neck, are black: this part, at an early age, is covered 
with small blackish feathers, or, at all events, its upper surface 
is thus furnished. Found throughout Africa.(3) 
(1) This is another of these distinctions and names borrowed by Vieill. (Gal. 
246) without any acknowledgement, although my memoir upon the Ibis,in which I 
establish it, is dated fifteen years prior to any of his writings upon birds. 
(2) Savigny, Mem. sur l’Ibis. 
(S$) There is a neighbouring species in the Moluccas which has a longer beak, 
