510 CLASS AVES. 



The Anastomus is separated from the foregoing genera 

 only in consequence of the peculiar gape of the bill in 

 the middle. There is nothing known concerning them, ex- 

 cept that their habitat and food are similar to those of the 

 herons, &c. 



The figure of the Laminated Heron is from a specimen in 

 the British Museum. The whole bird is dingy, nearly 

 black; but the plumage has occasional green and purplish 

 reflexions. The feathers of the neck, belly, and thighs have 

 the stems continued beyond the bards, where they become 

 cartilaginous laminae. All the stems, as well as the laminae, 

 are very shining. Between the fissure formed by the two 

 mandibles there are five close small laminae, whose object 

 appears to be to retain the slippery prey of the bird, such as 

 eels, &c. in the bill. 



All the Tantali of Gmelin and Latham, with the ex- 

 ception of Tantalus Loculator, Ibis^ and Leucocephalus, are 

 ibides, according to our author. These birds are found in 

 Asia, Africa, America, and Australia, They delight in in- 

 undated places, where they live on reptiles and fish. When 

 they are satiated with food they retire on elevated trees, 

 where they remain in an upright attitude, resting their bill 

 upon the breast. They are simple birds ; their walk is slow, 

 and they may be shot with facility. They make their nest 

 on trees ; the female lays two or three eggs, and the young 

 do not quit the nest until they are in a state to fly. 



The Tantalus Ibis was for a long time regarded as the 

 bird so much revered by the ancient Egyptians ; but M. 

 Cuvier, in a very learned and acute dissertation on the sub- 

 ject, has most satisfactorily demonstrated that the true ibis 

 was a very different bird, of a much smaller size, and the 

 same as the Aboic-hannes, mentioned by Bruce. 



The Spoonbills have received a multitude of names, 

 some of which were very little suited to them ; and one would 

 think that the form of the bill was sufficiently characteristic 



