ibis. 187 



GRALLA TORES, A RDFAD/F,. 



PLATE CLXXV 



IBIS. 



IBIS FALCINELLUS. 



The Ibis is one of our rare occasional visitants ; but, ac- 

 cording to several authors, it has occurred in some instances 

 not only as a solitary straggler, but also in small flocks. The 

 chief residence of the Ibis is in warmer climates than our own, 

 namely, the southern parts of Europe and Asia, all parts of 

 Africa, and South America : in those countries this species is 

 met with in numbers along the borders of lakes, rivers, and 

 ponds, particularly on marshy and boggy ground. The nature 

 of the soil along the Caspian and Black Seas suits the Ibis 

 particularly well. It is also found in many parts of Persia, 

 Syria, Egypt, Hungary, Turkey, and Greece, &c. 



In Europe the Ibis is a migratory bird, arriving in March 

 and April, and departing in August and September. The 

 occurrence of the Ibis in Europe is not confined entirely to 

 our latitude ; but, although more rarely, it has been met with 

 in Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. Under what circumstances 

 so many species of the feathered tribes wander out of their 

 natural latitudes, must ever remain a difficult subject of inves- 

 tigation, particularly the present species, for instance, which is 



VOL. IV. p 



