56 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



willow bushes, usually at eight or ten feet from the ground. In many instances the nests, which were 

 somewhat numerous, proved to be those of other birds, repaired and lined with straw for the reception 

 of the young. The three or four oval-shaped eggs were about the size of those of the Domestic Hen, 

 and had a thick, blueish green, or pale green, shell. The flesh of the Glossy Ibis is excellent. 



THE SCARLET IBIS. 



The Scarlet Ibis {Ibis rubra) resembles the species last described in most respects, with some 

 slight difference in the construction of the wings and tail ; in the former the third quill is larger than 

 the rest : the face is bare. In the adult bird the plumage is of a uniform bright scarlet, only varied 

 by the blackish brown on the outer web and tips of the quills ; the eye is yellow ; the beak brown at 

 its extremity, with a flesh-red base ; the bare broad bridles and the throat are of the latter colour ; 

 and the foot of a somewhat lighter shade. The length is twenty-four inches ; the wing measures 

 ten and the tail three inches. In the young the plumage on the back is pale brown, the under side of 

 a whitish hue, and the beak yellowish ; the bare face and legs are flesh-red. After the moulting, these 

 colours are paler and greyer ; and after the second moulting are exchanged for a pale rose-red, which, 

 at each succeeding change becomes deeper, till it attains the magnificent scarlet of the adult bird. 

 Central America and the northern portions of South America as far as the Amazon are the native 

 haunts of this fine species, and from thence it wanders forth occasionally into the most southern 

 of the United States. Edwards gives the following interesting account of a flock of these beautiful 

 birds that he met with in a cane-brake near the forests bordering the river Amazon : — " In this 

 part the Scarlet Ibis had nested, and the bended tops of the canes were covered with half-grown 

 birds in their black plumage, interspersed with many in the brilliant scarlet plumage of the adult. 

 They seemed little troubled at our approach, merely flying a few steps forward, and crossing the 

 stream. Continuing our road, the flocks increased in size, the red birds became more frequent, and 

 the canes bent over with their weight like reeds. Wood Ibises and Spoonbills were likewise 

 numerous. The nests of all these filled every bit of ground where a nest could be placed ; and the 

 younger Ibises, covered with down, and standing like so many Storks, their heavy bills resting upon 

 their breasts, and uttering no cry, were in strong contrast to the well-feathered Spoonbills, beautiful in 

 their slightly roseate dress, and noisily loquacious. Their mode of feeding their young is remarkable. 

 In the throat of the old female Ibis, directly at the base of the lower mandible, is a dilatation of skin 

 forming a pouch, which is capable of holding the bulk of a small Hen's egg. She would return from 

 fishing on the shallows with this pouch distended by tiny fishes, and allowed her young to pick them 

 out with their bills." 



The flight of this Ibis is lofty and strong, and it utters a loud and peculiar cry as it passes 

 through the air. According to Sagra, this species breeds in December and January, The eggs, 

 three or four in number, are laid upon the ground, and have a greenish shell. Schomburghk states 

 that young and adult birds do not associate with each other, but unite in distinct bands. The 

 Scarlet Ibis is sometimes domesticated, and accompanies the poultry, occasionally showing great 

 courage in defending itself, not only from their attacks, but from those of cats. The flesh is generally 

 esteemed as good food, and the rich and gaudy plumage is used by the Brazilians for various kinds 

 of ornamentation. 



THE WHITE, EGYPTIAN, OR SACRED IBIS. 



The White, Egyptian, or Sacred Ibis [Threskior/iis religiosa, or Geronticus ALthiopicd), represents 

 a group having the head and neck bare, and the webs of the shoulder-feathers disunited or open, 

 and loose at their extremities. The plumage is principally white, with a yellowish shade on the 

 wings, and blueish black tips to the quills and shoulder-feathers. The eye is carmine-red, the beak 



