THE SCARLET IBIS, 83 



bill, nearly square at its base, where it is of less breadth 

 than the head, almost straight for about one half of its 

 length, and having the remaining part gradually curved 

 downwards, blunt at its point and without any notch ; 

 nostrils situated near the base of the bdl at the com- 

 mencement of a groove which is continued along each 

 side of its upper surface as far as to its point ; the 

 head, and sometimes the neck, devoid of feathers to an 

 extent varying in the difi'erent races; wings of moderate 

 length ; tarsi slender ; and toes webbed at the base, 

 the hinder one placed somewhat above the level of 

 the others but being of sufficient length to rest upon 

 the earth. In many of these characters we observe a 

 considerable deviation from those of the Storks and 

 other typical examples of the family with which the 

 Ibis is associated, and a marked approach to the 

 Curlews, occupying a station on the confines of the 

 neighbouring family of Scolopacidae. 



The Scarlet Ibis, in its adult plumage, is one of the 

 most splendid among birds. When fully grown it 

 measures from twenty to twenty-four inches in height. 

 The colour of its plumage is, as its name imports, 

 entirely scarlet, with the exception of the tips of the 

 quill-feathers of its wings, which are black. The naked 

 part of its cheeks, its bill, legs, and feet, are of a pale 

 reddish brown. Its legs are covered with large scales. 

 When first hatched, the young are covered with a 

 blackish down, which soon changes to an ash-colour, 

 and at length becomes nearly white. This change 

 occurs about the period at which they begin to fly ; 

 after the second moulting they assume a tinge of red, 

 which gradually becomes deeper and more distinct, 

 appearing first on the back, and then spreading over 

 the sides and under parts of the body. Its brilliancy 

 increases as the bird advances in age. The Society's 



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