126 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Genus Plegadis. 

 Chin only bare, rest of throat feathered. Lores bare. Cheeks 

 partly bare. 



The Glossy Ibis. 



Plegadis falcinellus. 



South Europe to India, China, Australia, Africa, Eastern United 

 States to Florida. 



Above black, with bronzy sheen of purple; upper mantle deep 

 chestnut; head, neck and under surface deep maroon-chestnut, lighter 

 on breast. Total length 22 inches, culmen 5.2, wing 11.2, tail 3.9, tarsus 

 4.2. In winter plumage head and neck streaked with whitish. 



Nest constructed of sticks in forked branches, usually in 

 trees near or over water, well lined with leaves, frequently in 

 bunches. The four eggs are a beautiful dark bluish-green colour, 

 and measure about 2.8 x 1.43 inch. 



These birds are not nearly as plentiful as the other two 

 species, and do not associate in the same large flocks. 



Family Plataleidce. 

 Bill flattened, narrow in middle, widening out into a spoon- 

 shaped end. 



Genus Platalea. 



Head partly bare, plumes around auricular orifice. Nostrils 

 in a shallow depression. 



The Black-billed Spoonbill. 



Platalea regia. 



Australia to the Moluccas. 



Plumage white, with full crest on the head; forehead, fore part of 

 cheeks, and upper throat black; biU, legs, face and feet black. Total 

 length 34 inches, culmen 8, wing 15, tail 4.6, tarsus 5.5. 



Either a flat stick nest in a tree near or over water, or of 

 rushes or reeds trodden down in a swamp and some other 

 material added. Four eggs are usually laid. They are white, 

 usually sparingly marked with brown blotches, most numerous 

 near the larger end. Some eggs have no markings on. They 

 measure about 2.57 x 1.71 inch. 



