360 , CLASS AVES. 



Nile. For a long time it was believed that this ibis 

 of the Egyptians was the tantalus of Africa. At 

 present, it is known that it belongs to the genus of 

 which we are treating. It is as large as a hen, with 

 white plumage, except the end of the wing-quills, 

 which are black. The last wing-coverts have elon- 

 gated and slender barbs, of a black colour, with vio- 

 let reflexions, and thus cover the end of the wings 

 and tail. The bill and feet are black, as well as all 

 the naked part of the head and neck. In the young 

 subject, however, this part is covered, at least on its 

 upper face, with small blackish plumes. The species 

 is found throughout the whole extent of Africa.* 



There is at the Moluccas a species approximating 

 to this, with a longer bill, wing-coverts less slender, 

 and partly varied with white. The feathers of the 

 upper part of the breast are long and pointed. (Ibix 

 Molucca^ Cuv.) ; and another in Bengal, with ash- 

 coloured coverts, not very slender. (Ibis Bengahy 

 Cuv.)t 



Add~ 



Ibis Papulosa. Tern. Col. 304. 



General colour of plumage, dark ash ; wings, deep 



* For the history of these birds consult Aldrovandus Ornithol. ij. 312; 

 Dr. Pearson, Phil. Trans. 1805, t. 8; Cuvier, Ossem. Fossil, ij. and Ann. 

 Mus.iv. Il6 ; and Savigny, Hist. Nat. etMytholog.de I'lbis, 8vo. 1805. 

 Also the Thehan Ibis, Lath. Hist. 



■\ The last appear to be Ibis Maccd of Wagler, quoted from Cuvier, 

 and, when young, is certainly (as shewn by Gen. Hardwicke's figures) 

 the Ibis Melanocephalus of Latham; and when adult, the Bare-necked Ibis 

 of Dr. Latham's History, ix. 158. 



