178 WHITE IBIS. 



land of their winter residence, and the Ibises had all departed for the 

 Florida coasts, excepting a few of the white species, one of which we at 

 length espied. It was perched about fifty yards from us towards the 

 centre of the pool^ and as the report of one of our guns echoed among the 

 tall cypresses, down to the water, broken-winged, it fell. The exertions 

 which it made to reach the shore seemed to awaken the half-torpid alli- 

 gators that lay in the deep mud at the bottom of the pool. One shewed 

 his head above the water, then a second and a third. All gave chase to 

 the poor wounded bird, which, on seeing its dreaded and deadly foes, 

 made double speed towards the very spot where we stood. I was sur- 

 prised to see how much faster the bird swam than the reptiles, who, with 

 jaws widely opened, urged their heavy bodies through the water. The 

 Ibis was now within a few yards of us. It was the alligator's last chance. 

 Springing forward as it were, he raised his body almost out of the water ; 

 his jaws nearly touched the terrified bird ; when pulling three triggers at 

 once, we lodged the contents of our guns in the throat of the monster. 

 Thrashing furiously with his tail, and rolling his body in agony, the alli- 

 gator at last sunk to the mud ; and the Ibis, as if in gratitude, walked to 

 our very feet, and there lying down, surrendered itself to us. I kept this 

 bird until the succeeding spring, and by care and good nursing, had the 

 pleasure of seeing its broken wing perfectly mended, when, after its long 

 captivity, I restored it to liberty, in the midst of its loved swamps and 

 woods. 



The young bird of this species which I kept alive for some time, fed 

 freely, after a few days captivity, .on soaked Indian corn meal, but evinced 

 great pleasure when cray-fishes were offered to it. On seizing one, it beat 

 it sideways on the ground, until the claws and legs were broken off, after 

 which it swallowed the body whole. It was fond of lying on its side in 

 the sun for an hour or so at a time, pluming its body and nursing the 

 sore wing. It walked lightly and very gracefully, though not so much 

 so as the Herons. It did not molest its companions, and became very 

 gentle and tame, following those who fed it like a common fowl. 



The Creoles of Louisiana call this species " Bee crocked and also 

 " Petit Flaman^'' although it is also generally known by the name of 

 " Spanish Curlew." The flesh, which, as well as the skin, is of a dull 

 orange colour, is extremely fishy, although the birds are often sold in 

 our southernmost markets, and are frequently eaten by the Indians. 



The White Ibis has been shot eastward as far as New Jersey Of 



