202 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 



This curious bird is tolerably common in those parts of the country 

 where tanks and marshes abound. It lives in flocks of various size or 

 solitary, and feeds on fish, frogs, and various other aquatic animals, but 

 chiefly when procurable, on shell-fish (a species of Unto), the breaking of 

 the shell of which to get at the contents, is the cause of the open space 

 or gape between the mandibles, which does not exist in the young birds. 

 Colonel Sykes I see, however, appears to think that the gape exists origi- 

 nally in the young bird, and that it is a provision of nature to effect the 

 opening of the shells, on which it feeds. From my own observations, how- 

 ever, corroborated moreover by Mr. Elliot's, I am inclined to think that 

 the former is the more correct opinion, viz. that the open space is 

 caused by the constant attrition of the mandibles on the hard testa- 

 ceous covering of the shell-fish. The (jooi.«Ioo frequently perches on 

 trees, and breeds, I am informed, on lofty trees. 



Irides bright yellow ; bill dark greenish ; orbit-; and pouch, naked and 

 black ; legs greenish, with a shade of pink; middle claw, with a sharp edge 

 internally, but not serrated. Length 32 inches ; expansion of wings 1£ 

 feet. 



This bird flies toler.ibly rapidly, and with more quickly repeated strokes 

 of its wings than any of the Heron family, with which it has generally 

 been placed by systematists. 



Genus TANTALUS, L. 



322. — T. leucocephalus, Lath.— T. Indicus, Cuv. — Dukh, H. — Juunghul, 

 in Hindostan.— Pelican Ibis. 



The Pelican Ibis (as it may be named) is common over all India, 

 frequenting rivers, tanks, pools and marshes, generally in parties more 

 or less numerous, and feeding on fish, frogs and aquatic insects, and 

 also according to Sykes, on vegetable matter. It perches freely on trees, 

 and breeds on lofty trees, during the hot weather aud monsoon. Dur- 

 ing the heat of the day, they may be seen standing motionless in the 

 water knee-deep, digesting their morning's meal. They are said to feed 

 a good deal, during the night. The scapulars assume their most beauti- 

 ful rosy tinge, during the hot weather, or breeding season. The Blnjree 

 strikes this bird always on the head, its mandibles being sharp, and in- 

 flicting a severe cut. 



Irides yellowish brown ; bill, naked face and crown, and chin pouch, 

 deep ochre or orange yellow; legs pale dirty pink. Length 3^ feet; 

 expansion of wings about 6 feet ; bill (at gape) sometimes nearly 1 foot. 



