WOOD IBIS. 131 



a good opportunity, fired, and brought two down with a single bullet ; 

 but here the sport was ended. In five minutes after, not an Ibis was 

 within a mile of the place, nor did any return to roost there for more 

 than a month. When on the margin of a lake, or even in the centre of 

 it — for all the lakes they frequent are exceedingly shallow — the first 

 glimpse they have of a man induces them to exert all their vigilance ; 

 and should he after this advance a few steps, the birds fly off. 



The name of " Wood Ibis" given to this bird, is not more applicable 

 to it than to any other species ; for every one with which I am acquainted 

 resorts quite as much to the woods at particular periods. All our species 

 may be found on wet savannahs, on islands surrounded even by the waters 

 of the sea, the Florida Keys for example, or in the most secluded parts 

 of the darkest woods, provided they are swampy, or are furnished with 

 ponds. I have found the Wood, the Red, the White, the Brown, and 

 the Glossy Ibises, around ponds in the centre of immense forests ; and 

 in such places, even in the desolate pine-barrens of the Floridas ; some- 

 times several hundred miles from the sea coast, on the Red River, in the 

 State of Louisiana, and above Natchez, in that of Mississippi, as well as 

 within a few miles of the ocean. Yet, beyond certain limits, I never saw 

 one of these birds. 



One of the most curious circumstances connected with this species is, 

 that although the birds are, when feeding, almost constantly within the 

 reach of large alligators, of which they devour the young, these reptiles 

 never attack them ; whereas if a Duck or a Heron comes within the reach 

 of their tails, it is immediately killed and swallowed. The Wood Ibis 

 will wade up to its belly in the water, round the edges of " alligators' 

 holes," without ever being injured; but should one of these birds be shot, 

 an alligator immediately makes towards it and pulls it under water. The 

 gar-fish is not so courteous, but gives chase to the Ibises whenever an op- 

 portunity occurs. The Snapping Turtle is also a great enemy to the 

 young birds of this species. 



The flight of the Wood Ibis is heavy at its rising from the ground. 

 Its neck at that moment is deeply curved downward, its wings flap hea- 

 vily but with great power, and its long legs are not stretched out behind 

 until it has proceeded many yards. But as soon as it has attained a 

 height of eight or ten feet, it ascends with great celerity, generally in a 

 spiral direction, in silence if not alarmed, or, if frightened, with a rough 

 croaking guttural note. When fairly on wing, they proceed in a direct 



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