TANTALI1SME. 761 



which is frequently bent downwards; and also shorter feet. The flight, 

 moreover, is different, and is performed by more repeated and quick 

 flappings, alternating with intervals of rest with the wings out- 

 stretched. The birds of this family seek their food too in a differ- 

 ent manner ; they hunt about for it, and move the bill in water till 

 some object is touched, which is then immediately seized. They 

 feed chiefly in marshes and shallow water ; a few in meadows 

 and ploughed land. They associate in more or less numerous 

 flocks, and breed for the most part on trees, making a large 

 nest of sticks, and laying several white eggs. Some have the 

 tertials elongated and decomposed, forming ornamental tufts. 



In their anatomical structure, the Tantalida approach the other 

 Caltirosfres, but the sternum has, in some at all events, a double 

 emargination on each side ; the caeca are very minute, and the 

 gizzard moderately muscular. Parker in his paper previously 

 alluded to, says he feels pretty certain that the Spoon-bill and 

 Ibis will have to be placed in the Longirostres ; but he must have 

 overlooked their nidification, and the fact of the young requiring 

 to be fed by their parents till full-grown. 



They may be divided into the following sub- families : — 1st, Tan- 

 talince; — 2nd, Plataleince; — 3rd, Anastomatince ; — and 4th, Ibisincs. 



Sub-fam. Tantalin^e. 



Bill very large, thick, rounded, smooth ; legs long. 



Gen. Tantalus, Linnaeus. 



Char. — Bill lengthened, straight ; culmen rounded, the tip bent 

 down, slightly emarginated ; nostrils basal, superior ; head, cheeks, 

 and throat bare ; legs lengthened ; tibia nude for half its length ; 

 tarsus long, reticulated ; toes moderately long, with a web between 

 the front toes ; hind toe moderately long, slightly raised. 



The Wood-Ibises or Pelican-Ibises are birds of large size, and 

 more or less white plumage with lengthened tertials. They are 

 found in the hot countries of both Continents. 



938. Tantalus leucocephalus, Gmelin. 



Sykes, Cat. 187— Jerdon, Cat. 322 — Blyth, Cat. 1623— 

 Gould, Birds of Asia, Pt. XIV. . pi. 5— T. gangeticus, Shaw — 



PART II. 5 D 



