GLOSSY IBIS. 521 



The geographical distribution of the Glossy Ibis is very similiar to that 

 of the Spoonbill, but its breeding- colonies are more isolated. It is said to 

 breed in Morocco, and certainly does so in Spain and in the delta of the 

 Rhone. Its other breeding-colonies are confined to the valley of the Danube, 

 the Lower Volga as far north as lat. 48°, and the plains of the Caucasus, 

 whence it straggles into North Persia. It is a rare straggler to the rest of 

 Europe, having occurred several times in Scandinavia north of the Arctic 

 circle, at least once on the Faroes, and five times in Iceland. It breeds 

 in suitable localities throughout Turkestan, and was found by Finsch in 

 South-west Siberia as far north as lat. 48°. It passes through Afghanistan 

 on migration and winters in India. It also breeds in Scind and Ceylon, 

 and is said to be a rare winter visitor to Burma. Its occurrence in China 

 is doubtful ; but it has occurred, probably during its winter wanderings, in 

 Java, Borneo, Celebes, New Guinea, and various localities in Australia. 

 It has occurred in most parts of Africa, but it is doubtful whether it breeds 

 anywhere except in the north-west. It occurs irregularly in all the 

 countries bordering the basin of the Mediterranean. Examples of an Ibis, 

 which is said to be undistinguishable from the European species, have 

 occurred in various parts of the eastern United States of America ; but as 

 there are two other nearly allied species found on the American continent, 

 and as the breeding-place of the Glossy Ibis in the New World remains 

 undiscovered, its occurrence there must for the present be considered 

 accidental. Of these American species P. ridgwayi is said to inhabit Peru, 

 and P- guarauna is supposed to inhabit the whole of the Neotropical 

 Region, extending northwards as far as Texas and California. Both these 

 species may be distinguished by having the head brownish chestnut without 

 any metallic green gloss. 



The Ibis is only found in Europe during summer. Kriiper says that it 

 begins to arrive in Greece at the end of March ; but Irby did not observe 

 it at Gibraltar before late in April. The Ibis is a thorough Heron in its 

 habits and frequents the same districts, but like the Night-Heron it prefers 

 the swamps and marshes to the rivers and streams. Its flight resembles 

 that of a Heron, or perhaps more that of a Stork, for the legs droop at 

 a slight angle from the body and complete the curved line of the beak 

 and extended neck. The flight is more rapid than that of either of these 

 birds, and is performed by quicker beats of the wings, and every now and 

 then it skims along with outspread pinions. The Ibis is very gregarious, 

 solitary birds or even pairs are seldom seen ; half a dozen or more birds 

 fly in company and keep together in a wedge or string, like Cranes or 

 Geese. On the ground the Ibis walks sedately like a Heron. It is a very 

 silent bird, but when alarmed it is said to utter a harsh croak like that of 

 a Heron. 



Its food consists principally of worms, Crustacea, small shells, aquatic 



