North American Birds Eggs. 



91 



[185.] Scarlet Ibis. Gwirn rubra. 



RanKe.— Occasionally, but not recent- 

 ly met with in the southern states. 

 Their habitat is in tropical America, they 

 being especially abundant along the 

 Orinoco River in northern South 

 America. 



Full plumaged adults of this species 

 are wholly bright scarlet, except tor the 

 priiiiaries, whichare black. Their nests 

 are built in impenetrable thickets, 

 rushes or mangroves, the nests being 

 constructed like those of the White 

 Ibis. The eggs, too, are very similar to 

 those of the preceding species, but both 

 the ground color and the markings 

 average brighter. While still common 



in some localities, the species is gradually liecoming less al) 

 because of the demand for their feathers for use in fly-tying. 



chietly 



186. Glossy Ibis. Plegadis auiumnalin 



Range. — This tropical and sub-tropical species, is chietly found in the Old 

 World. It is occasicmally found in southeastern United States where it some- 

 times breeds. Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the same as the next 

 .species. 



187. White-faced Glossy Ibis. Pli'gtiflif< tjuaraunn. 



Range. — A suli-tropical species found in the S(juthwestern parts of the T'nited 

 States, rarely found east of the Mississippi. 



This species differs from the Glossy 

 Ibis in having the feathers on the fn.mt 

 of the head white, the rest of the plumage 

 is a dull l)ro\vnish chestnut, with greenish 

 reflections on the back. As these l)irds 

 are not in demand commercially, their 

 numl)ers have not decreased, and thous- 

 ands of them breed in c<donies in southern 

 Texas. They liuild a sul)Stantial nest of 

 reeds and rushes woven alioiit the u|:)right 

 canes, close to the surface of the water. 

 Their eggs are laid during May, and num- 

 ber from three to four. They are easily 

 distinguished from those of the IIer<ins, 

 (irecnish blue 1 being of a deeper greenish blue cohjr and 



averaging more elongate. Size 1.95 x 1.35. 

 Data.— Corpus Christi, Texas, May 2i3, 1899. Four eggs. Nest of twigs and 

 rushes in growing rushes on side of river. Collector, F. B. Armstrong. 



