124 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



on the ground^ its resonant metallic cry. It is wary 

 and has a strong, easy flight, and is a great wanderer, 

 but I am not able to say whether it possesses a regular 

 migration or not. 



The celebrated naturalist Natterer proctu:ed speci- 

 mens of this Ibis in the lagoons of Caicara, in the 

 Brazilian province of Matogrosso, in September and 

 November, 1825, but it is not mentioned by general 

 writers on the birds of South-east Brazil. 



WHISPERING IBIS 



Phimosus infuscatus 



Dark bronzy green, glossed with purple; fore-part and sides of head 

 and neck naked, red; bill and feet red; length 24, wing 11.5 inches. 



Of this Ibis, which ranges from Colombia to the 

 Argentine Republic, a few individuals come as far 

 south as the pampas of Buenos Ayres. 



The unfeathered state of the fore part of the head 

 and throat suggested to Azara the name of Afeytado, 

 or " shaved," but about its habits he has nothing 

 to say, nor does he mention its peculiar voice, or, 

 perhaps it would be more correct to say, its want of 

 voice; for it seems quite silent unless one comes 

 near to it and listens very intently, when he will 

 be able to hear little sigh-like puffs of sound as 

 the bird flies away. It seems strange that this 

 member of a loquacious loud-voiced family should 

 be reduced to speak as it were in whispers ! 



