224 CURSORES. 



sun be shining, they appear in their full beauty, and 

 the glossy black tips of their wings form a fine con- 

 trast with the yellowish white of the rest of their 

 plumage. 



" The manner in which this bird searches for its 

 food is very curious. The Woodcock and the Snipe, 

 it is true, are probers as well as it, but their task 

 requires less ingenuity than is exercised by the White 

 or Red Ibis. It is also true that the White Ibis fre- 

 quently seizes on small crabs, slugs, and snails, and 

 even at times on flying insects; but its usual mode 

 of procuring food is a strong proof that cunning en- 

 ters as a principal ingredient in its instinct. The 

 cray-fish often burrows to the depth of three or four 

 feet in dry weather, for before it can be comfortable 

 it must reach the water. This is generally the case 

 during the prolonged heats of Summer, at which time 

 the White Ibis is most pushed for food. The bird, 

 to procure the cray-fish, walks with remarkable care 

 toward the mounds of mud which the latter throws 

 up in forming its hole, and breaks up the upper part 

 of the fabric, dropping the fragments into the deep 

 cavity that has been made by the animal. Then the 

 Ibis retires a single step, and patiently waits the re- 

 sult. The cray-fish, incommoded by the load of 

 earth, instantly sets to work anew, and at last reaches 

 the entrance of its burrow; but the moment it comes 

 in sight, the Ibis seizes it with his bill." 



In the localities where the Ibis abounds may also 

 be seen the graceful form and beautiful colors of that 

 singular bird, the Roseate Spoonbill. It is much to 



