134 WOOD IBIS. 



middle, convex towards the end, the sides sloping and rather flat at the 

 base, towards the end rounded, the edges overlapping, inflected, sharp 

 but strong, the tip declinate, narrow, rounded, with a notch on either 

 side. Nostrils basal, close to the ridge, direct, pervious, oblong ; no na- 

 sal o-roove. Lower mandible curved towards the end, like the upper, its 

 angle rather wide, and having a bare dilatable membrane, the sides ra- 

 ther flat and erect at the base, afterwards narrowed and with the back 

 rounded, the edges erect, sharp, with a groove externally for the inser- 

 tion of those of the upper mandible. 



Head of ordinary size, short, compressed. Neck long. Body rather 

 slender, deeper than broad. Wings large. Feet very long, slender, hke 

 those of the Herons. Tibia long, slender, bare for one-half of its length ; 

 and with the long, compressed tarsus, covered all round with hexagonal 

 scales. Toes rather long and slender, the first smallest, the second next 

 in length, the third longest, the fourth intermediate between the second and 

 third, all covered above with numerous scutella, laterally with angular 

 scales, beneath flattened with soft margins, the anterior connected at the 

 base by pretty large webs, of which the outer is larger. Claws small, 

 rather compressed, rounded above, obtuse, the thin edge of that of the 

 third not serrated. 



The head all round, and the hind neck half way down, destitute of 

 feathers, the skin wrinkled and covered with irregular scurfy scales. Plu- 

 mage in general rather loose, more so on the neck. Wings long, ample, 

 primaries strong, the third longest, second almost as long, fourth about 

 the same length as third, first considerably shorter, all curved, emargi- 

 nate, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 



BiU dusky yellowish-brown, the edges yellow. Sides of the head 

 dark bluish-purple, upper part of the head horn-colour or dull greyish- 

 yellow, the rest of the bare skin of the same tint, many of the scales an- 

 teriorly blue. Iris deep brown, at a distance seeming black. Tibia and 

 tarsus indigo-blue. Toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, how- 

 ever, many of the scutella bluish-grey ; the webs pale yellowish flesh- 

 colour ; claws black. 



The general colour of the plumage is pure white with a tinge of yellow. 

 Alula, primary coverts, primary and secondary quills, excepting the in- 

 ner, and tail, black, with green and purplish-blue reflections, according to 

 the light in which they are viewed. 



Length to end of tail 44^ inches, to end of claws 59?, to end of wings 



