GLOSSY IBIS. IIS 



Danube, and is seen sometimes in Switzerland and Italy, 

 though rarely in England and Holland ; and is for seven 

 months a periodical visitor in Egypt, where, in common with 

 the Sacred Ibis, it was revered and embalmed in the vast cata- 

 combs of Saccara and Memphis. It arrives in that-country in 

 October, and leaves it in the month of March. It is known to 

 breed up the rivers of the Caspian and Black Seas, and to 

 spread into Russia, Siberia, Tartary, Denmark, occasionally 

 into Sweden, and perhaps Lapland, for the same purpose; 

 remaining in those countries till driven to migrate by the 

 inclemency of approaching winter, at which period it appears 

 to arrive in Africa and Asia. It is a still more rare and acci- 

 dental visitor in the United States than in England. A spe- 

 cimen has occasionally been exposed for sale in the markets of 

 Boston, and individuals are, at distant intervals, shot off Long 

 Island and on the shores of New Jersey. At very irregular 

 periods in the spring season, small flocks are thus seen on the 

 coasts of the Middle States and as far south as Maryland and 

 Virginia. Vieillot also asserts their occasional appearance even 

 in Cayenne, Iceland, and Greenland ; and they are found com- 

 mon along the rivers in the island of Java and in the Celebes. 



The Ibises ordinarily dwell together in flocks in marshy 

 and inundated grounds, exploring for their food with great 

 regularity, side by side advancing, like disciplined troops in an 

 extended line, perambulating the meadows they visit in pref- 

 erence to making a desultory flight, and for hours they are 

 observed boring the same spot with their long and sensitive 

 bills, when their prey is abundant. Sedate in their movements, 

 elevating their feet high in walking, and as it were measuring 

 their steps, they seem by the delicacy of their actions as if 

 conscious of the veneration and high regard symbolically 

 bestowed upon them by the nations of antiquity. When, 

 however, alarmed, they rise high in the air, in a wide spiral 

 range, uttering loud cries, like Geese, and having attained a 

 safe elevation, they file off in a horizontal direction, uttering at 

 intervals a low and hoarse sound, and their flight being vigor- 

 ous, they soon disappear from sight. They are said to nest in 



