340 



6 



The Glossy Ibis is found in Cuba, where Gundlach has obtained it on more than one 

 occasion. 



In habits the present species reminds one not a little of the Curlew ; but instead of being 

 noisy like that species, I have generally found it very silent, and, excepting when suddenly 

 flushed, when I have heard it utter a harsh note, I never recollect to have heard its voice. I 

 have only seen it near shallow lagoons, where it waded about in search of its food ; and the 

 country being open, I found it difficult of approach. When I was at Matamoras, in Mexico, I 

 frequently saw Glossy Ibises at the lagoon near the town and on the banks of the Rio Grande, 

 and shot a good many. They were usually in company with White Ibises (Eudocimus albus), 

 and were exceedingly shy ; but by hiding in the bushes between the end of the lagoon and the 

 river I had no difficulty in shooting them as they passed to and from the lagoon. I used 

 frequently to eat them, and found them excellent. 



The Glossy Ibis breeds numerously in South-eastern Europe, especially in the large swampy 

 districts in Hungary. Unfortunately, I was in that part of Europe in the early spring, and had 

 to return before the present species commenced breeding, and am therefore unable to give a 

 description of its breeding-habits from personal observation, but was informed that it breeds in 

 the large morasses, in places difficult of access, and the nest, which is carelessly constructed of 

 dried flags and leaves of aquatic plants, is placed on the bent- down large aquatic plants and on 

 partially dry places in the marsh. The eggs, usually three in number, are uniform greenish 

 blue in colour, much darker in shade than the Heron's eggs; and those in my collection, from 

 the Save, vary in size from lf§ by lj^ to 2 inches by 1^ inch, some being nearly oval in shape, 

 whereas others taper much towards one end. 



The food of the present species consists of aquatic insects, worms, Crustacea, small frogs, 

 &c. &c. It is said by some authors to feed on carrion ; but this is doubtless an error. 



The generic appellation which of late has been chiefly used for the present species is 

 Falcinellus, said to have been given by Bechstein in 1803, the type being the present species; 

 but this is certainly an error, for Bechstein speaks of the bird only as Numenius falcinellus, 

 never using the latter title generically. The next generic title, in order of date, is Plegadis of 

 Kaup (I. c), which is the one that will stand. 



Some authors cite Falcinellus as given by Cuvier in 1829; but this also is an error, for 

 Cuvier (Regne Animal, 2nd ed. i. p. 527), who makes a genus under the name of " Falcinelle," 

 the type being Limicola platyrhyncha, fails to give it any Latin title. 



The specimens figured are an adult female and a young bird in down, with an immature 

 bird in the background, all being those above described. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, d ad. Seville, Spain, May 1868 {Hoivard Saunders). b, $ ad. Barcelona, Spain, May 10th, 1866 

 (H.E.D.). c, 2 • Central Volga, May 1877 (Schliiler) . d,e,juv. Madagascar (Frank), f, pull. Sarepta 

 (Dr. Stader). 



