Food. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
Adult bird. 
Young 
bird, 
58 GRALLATORES. IBIS. Ibis. 
having been traced from Siberia to the isles of Celebes and 
Java, and it is equally so in Africa. It seems to have been 
held by the Egyptians in the same sacred estimation as Ibis 
religiosa (of WacieEr), or the true sacred Ibis of authors, 
as its remains are frequently found with those of the last 
mentioned bird, deposited amongst the mummies of the 
Egyptian catacombs. Like others of the genus, this species 
generally lives in societies, and its migrations are performed 
in numerous flocks. It frequents the banks of rivers, the 
shores of lakes, and lands that have been recently inun- 
dated ; feeding on worms, insects, molluscous animals, and 
certain aquatic plants. The nidification, eggs, and other 
particulars respecting its propagation, have not been noticed ; 
and these points, with more extensive information, tending 
to illustrate the individual habits of the bird, are still want- 
ing to complete its history. 
PLATE. 
In the perfect, or adult plumage, the cheeks and crown of 
the head are of a deep greenish-black, glossed with a 
rich metallic purple; the feathers narrow and acumi- 
nate. ‘The neck, the uppermost part of the back, the 
breast, the upper ridge of the wings, and under parts 
of the body, are of a deep reddish (or maroon) brown, 
The wings and tail, lower part of the back, wing co- 
verts, and scapulars, are blackish-green, with the richest 
metallic tints of purple and green, as viewed in different 
lights. ‘The naked skin extending from the bill to the 
eyes is green. The bill is blackish-green, in some spe- 
cimens measuring upwards of six inches in length. 
Legs and feet are blackish-green: the naked part of the 
tibia is upwards of two inches long. 
PratE XII. represents the young bird previous to its first 
moulting, taken from a specimen killed near Rothbury, 
in Northumberland, and now in my collection. 
