ii6 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



these gradually extended, until, by the end of May, 

 the adult plumage was all acquired. Then my interest 

 in Byles ceased, and latterly he strayed away to his 

 native swamps." 



WOOD-IBIS 



Tantalus toadator 



White ; greater wing-coverts and wing- and tail-feathers black with 

 bronze reflections; head and upper part of neck naked, dusky; 

 vertex covered with a horny place ; sides of head purplish ; feet slaty ; 

 length 44, wing 17 inches. Female similar. 



Most people in the Plata region are familiar with 

 this bird of the marshes, its lofty stork-like figure 

 and white plumage making it a very conspicuous 

 object. 



On the pampas it is not uncommon in summer 

 and autumn, and goes in flocks of a do^en or twenty. 

 The birds are usually seen standing motionless in 

 groups or scattered about in spiritless attitudes, 

 apparently doling away the time. On the wing it 

 appears to better advantage, having a singularly 

 calm, stately flight ; on a warm, still day they are 

 often seen soaring in circles far up in the sky. 



I have never heard of this bird nesting on the 

 pampas, and am inclined to think that it only breeds 

 in forest regions, and visits the marshes in the tree- 

 less districts after the young have flown. 



Its habits in North America, where it is called 

 the " Wood-Ibis," are tolerably well known, and in 



