ZOOLOGT. 107 



exceedingly destructive ia fish-preserves, and with difficulty- 

 obtained but by the gun. Twelve or more species have been 

 occasionally found in Great Britain. See British Orniiho- 

 jogy, vols. I, 2, 3. 



7. Tantalus. Ibis. Bill long, subulate, roundish, curving 



towards the point; skin in front of the eyes bare; 

 tongue short, broad ; nostrils oval j toes palmated at 

 the base. 



In general habits, nearly approaching the last genus ; some 

 of the kinds are held sacred, from their devouring great 

 numbers of noxious reptiles. 



8. ^umenius. Curlew. Bill long, cuwed; nostrils Yme^r ; 



tongue short, pointed ; toes connected as far as the first 

 joint by a strong membrane. 



These frequent the shores of the sea, rivers, and the 

 margins of lakes, and feed on small fish, aquatic worms, 

 insects, and plants; they nestle on the ground, and the 

 young run as soon as excluded from the shell. Three species 

 are natives of Great Britain. British Orniiholog}/,\o\. 1, 3. 



9. Scolopax. Snipe. Bill strait, long, slender, the upper 



mandible extending somewhat beyond the lower; 

 nostrils linear, situated ia a furrow ; tongue pointed ; 

 toes in some species connected as in the last genus, in 

 other species all separate ; hind-toe \ery small. 



This family are all very shy, swift on wing, and shun the 



