11(14 ANASTOMTJS OSCITANS. 



Distribution. — This is the most widely distributed species of its family in Ceylon, for besides being 

 Found in the extreme north, here and there throughout the northern forests, in various localities on the 

 eastern side of the island, and abundantly frequenting the south-east of the island, it inhabits the extreme 

 south from Matara round to Amblangoda on the west, and further has been shot as a straggler near Colombo. 

 Ir is numerous in the Hambantota and Yala districts, inhabiting, however, the sea-board more than the 

 interior; thence northward it is found round the skirts of the Park country to Batticaloa, but is not so 

 common there as in the first-named parts. Large flocks are seen sometimes at Kauthelai, and in common 

 with other Ibises it frequents the great Padewiya and other suitable tanks in the Vanni. It is plentiful in 

 parts of the North-western Province. In 1872 a young bird was shot on the Kelaniganga not far from 

 Mutwal ; and there is a permanent colony on the Amblangoda Lake, a portion of the shores of which are fiat 

 ;md shallow, furnishing a supply of suitable shell-fish ; but I have never seen it at the Bolgodde Lake, as it 

 is unsuited to the bird's habits. Layard discovered a breeding-colony near Matara. 



In parts of India it is very abundant where there are large rivers, tanks, and marshes, particularly in 

 Bengal, according to Jerdon and more recent observers. It collects in the Doab in large numbers to breed. 

 In Jodhpoor it is not uncommon, though it is not evenly distributed throughout the province ; and further 

 cast, in Sindh, Cutch, and Kattiawar, it has not been noticed, although it occurs sparingly on tanks 

 and rivers in Guzerat. In the Deccan it is not uncommon, and, according to Davidson and Wenden, is 

 resident in the Bhima. Jerdon makes no mention of its occurrence on the Malabar coast ; but in all probability 

 it frequents suitable localities there and in the Carnatic. Turning northward again we find it pretty common 

 in C'hota Nagpur, being found sometimes on the beds of large rivers in hilly districts even. Mr. Ball cites 

 it as occurring in the Rajmehal hills, Manbhum, Lohardugga, Singhbhum, Sirguja, Sambalpur, Orissa, 

 Nowagarh, Karial, Jaipur, and Bustar, while Mr. Hume has had it sent him from Raipur. In the Furreed- 

 pore district of Eastern Bengal it is pretty common from March until September, and in Sylhet it is to 

 be met with in the cold weather (Cripps). It appears to extend to the eastward of the Bay in very limited 

 numbers. It is rare in Pegu, according to Mr. Oates, and further south it is not found at all in Tenasserim. 

 The southern portion of Burmah would appear, therefore, to be its furthest limit in this direction; and in the 

 islands of the Bay, which are destitute of all of the Platalcidie, it is of course not found. 



Habits. — This singular bird affects the borders of salt lakes, lagoons, marshes, tanks, and estuaries in 

 Ceylon; but in India is also found along the margins of large rivers, and smaller streams even, flowing 

 through hilly districts. In our island the maritime regions furnish it with localities suitable to its tastes, and 

 it Ls there that it is mostly found. Out of the breediug-season it associates in small parties, but while nesting 

 sallies out to feed in large flocks. I once came upon a flock of more than 100 on some grass-land round the 

 margins of Sittrawella tank, and they presented a fine appearance as they stalked slowly about or stood erect 

 attentively regarding me as I issued from the surrounding forest into the open. They were not particularly 

 shy, allowing me to get within a long shot of them before rising. Though not swift on the wing, the Shell- 

 Ibis is a bird of powerful flight, and delights in soaring in the air at a great height, after the manner of 

 Sea-Gulls; when disturbed at their nesting-place they mount with a gyrating flight, and commence flying 

 in wide circles, some in the opposite direction to others. It is a most inveterate consumer of shell-fish, 

 searching about with its bill and sometimes with its feet in the mud for its prey, which, when found, it takes 

 to a convenient spot and, holding it under one foot, breaks in the shell with a blow of its powerful bill and 

 pulls out the contents. Smaller shells are, writes Lieut. Bingham, who has devoted much attention to its 

 habits, crushed between its powerful mandibles and swallowed by repeated jerks of its head. It is probably 

 owing to this habit, he remarks, that the attrition of the mandibles is caused ; and such perhaps is the case; 

 but if so, it is singular that the space does not exist at the point of greatest power, namely near the gape, 

 where one would suppose the bird to seize the shell it desired to crush. Furthermore, although the edges of 

 the under mandible have the appearance of being worn away by friction, those of the upper present a sort of 

 hard leathery-looking appearance, not indicative of being caused by great pressure. The Shell-eater perches 

 ami roosts on trees, generally flying up to the topmost branch. The neck is carried almost straight, both in 

 walking and when the bird is at rest. 



The following interesting paragraph, appertaining to the habits of this species in confinement, is contained 



