124 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
Order VII. HERODIONES. Herons, Ibises, Storks. 
KEY TO FAMILIES. 
A. Bill straight, sharp pointed (Fig. 36). Claw of middle toe pectinate 
(with a comb on inner edge, Fig. 37b). Family 20, Ardeide. 
Herons, Bitterns, etc. Page 127. 
AA. Bill distinctly curved, the tip rather blunt. Claw of middle toe not 
pectinate. B, BB. 
B. Bill slender, curved throughout, the upper mandible with a distinct 
groove from nostril nearly to tip. Family 18, Ibidide. Ibises. 
Page 124. 
BB. Bill very thick at base, only curved toward the tip. Upper 
mandible without groove. Family 19, Ciconiide. Storks. 
Only one Michigan species, the Wood Ibis. Page 126. 
Fig. 36. Head of Green Heron. 
A 
[oy 
7, 
Fig. 37. Foot of Heron. a. Scutellate tarsus. b. Pectinate claw. 
Family 18. IBIDIDAs.  Ibises. 
(Only one Michigan species, the Glossy Ibis.) 
66. Glossy Ibis. Plegadis autumnalis (Linn.). (186) 
Synonyms: Ibis, Green Ibis, Bay Ibis, Black Curlew.—Tringa autumnalis, Linn.. 
1762.—Ibis falcinellus, Vieill., Bonap., Aud., Nutt.—Plegadis falcinellus, Ridgw., 1881, 
Figure 31. 
Its large size, chestnut and dark iridescent plumage, and decurved bill 
five inches or more in length, render the species unmistakable. At a little 
distance the living bird appears to be glossy black. 
