1834.] Catalogue of Birds in the Dukhun. 643 



nuted state. A fourth had the same vegetable matters and the half of a carp nine 

 inches long. 



Genus Ibis, La CY-p. Ibis. 

 188. Ibis relig iosa, Cuv., Regne Anim. 1. 4S3. Sacred Ibis. V Ibis sacre, Cuv., 

 Recherches sur les Ossemens Fossiles, ]. 161. Tantalus sEthiopictts. Ibis 

 Macei, Cuv., Ann. Mus. 11. 125. White Ibis with purple black secondary quill 

 decomposed feathers, Ind. Orn. 2. 706. 

 Col Sykes carefully compared the descriptions and measurements of the larger 

 Mummy Ibis of Cuvier ; and is induced to believe the present bird is the same. 

 Col. Sykes puts into juxta-position the measurements of Cuvier's Mummy Ibis 

 from Thebes and one of his own birds : 



Mummy Ibis. Dukhun Ibis. 

 Inches. Inches. 



Length of beak and head together S"27 8-15 



Head l'S5 1 '80 



Tibia 5.90 5'80 



Tarsus 4-01 380 



Middle toe 3'81 3-50 



Ulna 6-01 5 4 95 



Hand , 4'92 4-SO 



The individual of which the measurements are given has the two first quills tipped 

 with violet, their shafts of the same colour, and four of the secondary quills are 

 also violet, and with their webs decomposed, according with Cuvier's description. 

 The violet colour is not so deep as in the ^Ethiopian Ibis ; but as in all Col. 

 Sykes's specimens (nine in number) the violet feathers are in progress of deve- 

 lopment, the colour would no doubt subsequently be darker. Cuvier mentions 

 that the Mummy Ibis varied a little in size. Col. S. has birds larger and small- 

 er than that of which the measurements are sriven. 

 Appear in Dukhun in the cold weather only. Gregarious. 



Irides narrow, lake colour. Food water-crickets, crabs, beetles, shrimps. Length, 

 inclusive of tail, 30 to 35§ inches : tail 5.3 to 5.7. Bill and head to occiput 7.8 

 to 9.6 inches. Bill to the gape 6.4 to 7.8 inches. 

 189. Ibis iynea. Tantalus igneus, Lath., Ind. Orn., 2. 70S. 12. Ibis falcinellus. 

 Temm., Man. d'Orn., 2nd Edit. 2. 569. 

 Col. Sykes's birds, male and female, are identical with two European specimens, 

 in the British Museum labelled Ibis ignea, and viewed as the immature birds of 

 Ibis falcinellus. Col. Sykes however has seen so many of both in India, ap- 

 pearing in different flocks at the same period of the year, and not having, as M. 

 Temminck describes the birds before they are three years old, " partie inferieure 

 du cou, poitrine, ventre, et cuisses d'un noir cendr£ ; haut du dos et scapulaires 

 d'un cendre brun," but of a rich fuscous brown, with brilliant metallic reflec- 

 tions ; differing also in the proportions of the internal organization ; and Dr. 

 Latham moreover describes even the youngest birdsof I bis falcinellus as charac- 

 terised by reddish brown. Herodotus speaks of the smaller Ibis as entirely 

 black, a description inapplicable to the Ibis falcinellus, but applicable to the pre- 

 sent species, which at a short distance appears entirely blaek. Col. Sykes is 

 therefore induced to adopt the opinion of those writers who considered the bird 

 distinct from Ibis falcinellus. Its measurements correspond with those of the 

 smaller species of Mummy Ibis given by Cuvier ; and it agrees in plumage (in- 

 tense blackish brown with metallic reflections, without any mention of chestnut 

 or marone, the livery of the Ibis ignea), with the descriptions of the ancients; 

 it is therefore very probable, as M. Temminck suggests, that it is the sacred 

 species worshipped and embalmed by the Egyptians. 

 Length (male), inclusive of tail, 25§ inches : tail 4| inches. Female 23$ inches : 



tail 4 inches. 

 Black beetles, larva of water insects, and numerous univalve shells found in the 

 stomachs of these birds. 



190. Ibis papillosa, Temm., PI. Col. 304. Black screaming Ibis. Indian variety of 

 Bald Ibis, Lath., 9- 156. 



Soar high in the air in circles, uttering melancholy screams. Monogamous. 

 Found in the stomach of several birds aquatic insects, multitudes of black beetles, 

 Jowaree seeds, Gryllotalpa, and vegetable matters. Col. Sykes's birds are 

 much less brilliant in plumage than the specimen described and figured by M. 

 Temminck. 



Irides pale red. Length, inclusive of tail, 25 to 28| inches : tail 7$ inches. 



191. Ibis falcinellus, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 2nd Edit. 2. 599. Tantalus falcinellus, 

 Linn., 1.241. Gmel., 1. 648. Le Courtis vent, Buff., Ois. 8. 29. Courly 

 d'ltalie, Buff., PI. Enl. 819. Marone Ibis. 



3 N 2 



