WEITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS 269 



gorged, after which they walk to the nearest margins, place themselves in 

 long rows, with their breasts all turned toward the sun, in the manner of 

 Pelicans and "Vultures, and thus remain for an hour or so (Audubon, 1843, VI, 

 p. 65). 



The crop of a Wood Ibis taken at Bixby, Los Angeles County, 

 August 23, 1901, and examined by Daggett (1903, p. 19) was filled 

 with aquatic insects. Leo Wiley (in letter of February 19, 1915) 

 states that three Wood Ibises which were examined by him at Palo 

 Verde, Imperial County, showed stomach contents as follows: (1) 

 three tadpoles, four "pumpkin-seed" beetles (water beetles), two 

 paddle bugs, and moss and slime; (2) nine tadpoles, one pumpkin- 

 seed beetle, nine dragon-fly larvae, and one fish (a carp) ; (3) one 

 water-cricket, ten carp, one catfish, and two bony -tails (a kind of 

 fish). 



There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the value of the 

 Wood Ibis as a bird for the table. Along the Colorado River, where 

 it is known as the "Water Turkey," it has been eaten with relish; 

 but as a rule, north of Mexico it is classified along with the herons 

 as being beneath the dignity of a game species. As far as California 

 is concerned the Wood Ibis should be protected as a bird whose rarity 

 makes it a subject of interest rather than an object of sport. 



White-faced Glossy Ibis 



Plegadis guarauna (Linnaeus) 



Other names — Bronze Curlew; Black Curlew; Falcinellus cayanensis ; Ibis 

 ordi; Ibis mexicanus ; Ibis thalassinus. 



Descrfption — Adults, both sexes: Head, neck, and body in general, deep 

 cinnamon brown; a narrow area about base of bill and extending back around 

 each eye, white; bare naked skin about base of bill and including area about 

 eye, reddish purple; iris blood red; bill slate-colored, slender, curved down- 

 ward like that of a curlew; top of head, lower back, wings and tail giving 

 metallic reflections of purple, pinkish bronze, and green; longer scapulars and 

 outer surface of closed wing with purplish and greenish reflections predominat- 

 ing; shorter scapulars and lesser wing coverts rich chestnut; primaries irides- 

 cent green; secondaries mostly bronze; sides of body, axillars, and under 

 surface of wing, bronze, purple and green according to angle of view; rump 

 and tail mixed green and purple; lower tail coverts with steel blue and purple 

 reflections; legs and feet varying from grayish brown to dark reddish purple. 

 Males: Total length 23.75-24.00 inches (603-610 mm.) (two specimens); folded 

 wing 10.40-10.75 (264^273); bill along culmen 5.25-5.67 (133-144); tarsus 3.90- 

 4.15 (99-105.5) (six specimens). Females: Folded wing 9.45-9.75 (240-248); bill 

 along culmen 4.30-4.55 (109-115.5); tarsus 3.35-3.40 (85-86.4) (two specimens); 

 weight 13.6 oz. (386 gm.) (one specimen) ; all .from California. Juvenile plumage: 

 Cinnamon and chestnut hues wholly lacking; head, neck and lower surface, dull 

 grayish brown, the head and upper part of neck streaked narrowly with 

 white; back grayish brown, with green and steel blue reflections; outer sur- 



