IBISES 



TTjt*, 



(186) Plegadis autumnalis 



{Linn.) (Gr., a scythe or sickle). 



GLOSSY IBIS. Ads.— Plumage 

 as shown, but without white on the 

 face. Im. — Head, neck and under 

 parts grayish-brown, the two former 

 streaked with white; back dusk)', 

 with a greenish tinge. L., 24.00; 

 W., 11.50; Tar., 3.10; B., 5.00. 



Range — Rare and local from Fla. 

 to Liu, and in the West Indies. Ac- 

 cidental north to N. S. and Mich. 

 (187) Plegadis guarauna 



{Linn.){A S. Am. name for this species). 



WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. 

 Ads. — As figured. Size same as the 

 last. Nest — Of rushes in swamps; 

 three or four greenish-blue eggs, 

 1.95 .X 1.35. 



Range — Breeds from Fla., Tex. 

 and Ore. southward. Casual north 

 to Neb. 



Old World and are of local occurrence in our Southeastern 

 States. Their habits are the same in every respect as those 

 of the WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS, which is an abun- 

 dant species in certain parts of the United States. They 

 frequent mud fiats, lagoons and marshes, building their 

 nests in the latter places. The nests are quite substantial 

 in construction and are attached to lixdng rushes so that their 

 bottoms just clear the surface of the water, or are placed 

 on piles of floating, decajdng reeds of the previous year. 

 They are made by twisting rushes into compact, deeply 

 cupped structures in wliich usually three deep, greenish- 

 blue eggs are deposited. Both eggs and nests are very 

 different from any of our herons or other ibises. 



Ibises are gregarious at all seasons. Large colonies of 

 them nest in the same marshes — indeed, their homes are 

 frequently but a few feet apart. While feeding, six to 

 twenty birds make up the usual company. They eat 

 shellfish, Crustacea, small fish, frogs, lizards, etc. 



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