GLOSSY IBIS. 499 



habits. Nnttall's article is mainly an acconnt of Ibises in general, devoted principally 

 to mention of ancient, and particularly Egyptian, chronicles and saperstitions regard- 

 ing them. The United States species was first separated ander the name of ordii by 

 Bonaparte, 1838. 



The eggs of Ibises are very different from those of Herons. The shell is heavier, 

 roagher, and more granular, the difference in texture being very apparent; and are 

 ovoidal, not ellipsoidal, with considerable difference in the degree of convexity of the 

 two ends. Those of the Glossy Ibis measure from 1.90 by 1.45 to 2.10 by 1.50, and are of 

 a dull greenish-bine color, without markings. The number usually deposited is believed 

 to be three." 



FAMILY ARDEID^. THE HERONS. 



Hallux lengthened, perfectly inoambent with large claws. Tarsi scutellate. Middle 

 claw pectinate. Bill perfectly straight, tapering, acute. Loral region definitely naked, 

 continuous with covering of the bill. Head narrow, elongate, tapering,* 



*Mr. Eidgway in his studies of North American Herodiones adheres to the old division 

 of this family and gives the following synopsis of its Ohio members : 



ARDEID^.— The Truk Herons. 



Sub-family Ardein.*:. — Outer toe equal to or decidedly longer than the inner. Claws 

 short, generally strongly curved. Three pairs of powder-down tracts. Reotrices 

 lengthened, stiffish, twelve in number (except Zebrilua). 



Sub-family Botaurin^. — Outer toe decidedly shorter than the inner. Claws long, slen- 

 der, slightly curved. Two pairs, only, of powder-down tracts. Kectrices very short, 

 soft, only ten in number. 



Sub-family ARDEiNiB. 



A. — Beetrices twelve; tibim with the lower portion more or less naked. 



a. Pectoral and inguinal powder'down trails widely separated. 



5, Malar region completely feathered (except in Pilherodius, where anterior part is 

 bare). Bill shorter than the tarsus and middle toe (usually shorter than, or 

 about equal to, the tarsus). 



1. Abdea. — Size very large. Adult with scapular plumes elongated, narrowly- 



lanceolate, and with compact webs ; in the breeding season, the occiput with 

 two long, slender, compact-webbed, pendant plumes. Color mainly plumb- 

 eons- or slate-blue (rarely — e. g. white phase of A. ocoidenialis — wholly pure 

 white). Cnlmen shorter than middle toe. 



2. Herodias. — Size large, but smaller than the species of the preceding genus. 



Adult with the scapular plumes greatly elongated, reaching far beyond the 

 end of the tail, the shafts thick and rigid, the webs decomposed, hair-like, 

 and distinct. Color entirely pure white. 



3. Garzetta. — Size small. Adult with occipital, jugular, and scapular plumes, 



the latter reaching to or a little beyond the end of the tail ; the shafts 

 moderately rigid, and recurved terminally; the webs decomposed, with 

 long, hair-like, but not distant fibres. Other plumes varying in structure, 

 according to the species. Color entirely pure white. 



