NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 89 



sible to estimate the number of the Ibises and different Herons nest- 

 ing here. " Both nests and eggs of the Ibises were quite unlike those 

 of any of the Herons, and could be distinguished at a glance. The 

 nests were made of broken bits of dead tules, supported by and at- 

 tached to broken and upright stalks of living ones. They were rather 

 well and compactly built, and were usually well cupped, quite unlike 

 the clumsy platforms of the Herons. The eggs were nearly always 

 three in number, and at this date were far advanced in incubation ; 

 many of the nests contained young of all sizes. Fifty eggs now 

 before me average 1.95x1.35, the extremes being 2.20x1.49 and 1.73 x 

 1.29 ; they are decidedly pointed at the smaller end, and are of a deep 

 bluish-green color." 



188. Tantalus loculator Linn. [500.] 



'Wood Ibis. 



Hab. Southern United States, from Ohio Valley, Colorado, Utah, California, etc., south to Buenos 

 Ayres: casually northward to Pennsylvania and New York. 



The American Wood Stork, as it is called, is distributed over a 

 large portion of South and Central America, Mexico and Southern 

 North America. It is found in all the Gulf States, and is most abund- 

 ant in Florida, where, Mr. Stuart informs me, it nests in the interior in 

 dense cypress swamps, on the tallest trees, which are often more than 

 one hundred feet in height. In these rookeries are also found nesting 

 the American Egret, Ardea egretta; Great Blue Heron, A. herodias ; the 

 Anhinga and others. The nests, like those of the Herons, are plat- 

 forms of sticks loosely arranged, with a lining of long moss. The 

 same rookery is occupied each year, and the nests are repaired and 

 augmented until they often become of immense size. 



The eggs are chalky-white, sometimes spotted with pale reddish- 

 brown ; somewhat elliptical. The shell is rough, with a flaky sub- 

 stance. Two or three is the number laid, but almost invariably three. 

 Size from 2.70 to 2.75 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. 



189. Mycteria americana Linn. [499.] 



JaTiirua 



Hab. Tropical America, north casually to Southern Texas. 



This singular bird is known as the American Stork. It is found 

 in portions of Central America and throughout most of South Amer- 

 ica. One specimen is said to have been taken within the limits of the 

 United States, and that near Galveston, Texas. The bird is said to 

 have the same general habits peculiar to the White Stork of Europe. 

 The nest is a large platform of sticks built in the highest trees. 



The egg is described as rounded-oval in shape, and of an olive- 

 green color; size 3.33x2.20. 



