GLOSSY IBIS. 325 



of dried flags and leaves of aquatic plants is placed on the 

 bent-down large water-plants on partially dry places in the 

 marshes. The food of this species consists of small reptiles, 

 the fry of fishes^ small Crustacea, aquatic insects, worms &c., 

 which it finds on the banks of rivers, the shores of lakes, and 

 muddy flats which are occasionally flooded ; it feeds also on 

 beetles and scorpions, and is especially fond of locusts. In its 

 flight, the pinions are beaten rapidly, producing a whizzing 

 sound, after which the bird skims for some distance ^see 

 Yarrell's B. B. vol. iv. p. 235). 



In my own notes I find the following : — On May 25th, 

 1850, a male Ibis, in full mature plumage, was shot at 

 Piddinghoe, near Newhaven, by a labourer, and was sold to 

 a Mr. Baker, who sent it to the late Mr. Unwiu, naturalist, 

 of Lewes. Mr. Potter, writing to me, states that Mr. Unwin 

 sent it to him to set up, and that he purchased it for 

 Mr. EUman, from whom I bought it, and it is now in my 

 collection. 



Mr. Knox (O. E. p. 228) has, " A specimen of this rare 

 straggler is in the possession of Mr. Duke, of Lavant, uear 

 Chichester, which was shot by Mr. Duke, Jun., of Earnley, 

 on the marshes ia that neighbourhood in November 1853." 



Mr. Jeffery records (' Zoologist ' p. 109, s. s.) : — " On the 

 1st of November, 1876, Mr. Willett, of Brighton, informed me 

 that a Glossy Ibis had been shot near Arundel, about a 

 month previously, and that it had come into his possession." 

 Mr. Ellis, naturalist, of Arundel, who preserved the bird, 

 told me it was shot in a water-meadow, between Arundel 

 and Ford. 



