THE WHITE IBIS. 59 



shewed his head above the water, then a second and a third. All gave chase 

 to the poor wounded bird, which, on seeing its dreaded and deadly foes, 

 made double speed towards the very spot where we stood. I was surprised 

 to see how much faster the bird swam than the reptiles, who, with jaws 

 widely opened, urged their heavy bodies through the water. The Ibis was 

 now within a few yards of us. It was the alligator's last chance. Spring- 

 ing forward as it were, he raised his body almost out of the water; his jaws 

 nearly touched the terrified bird; when pulling three triggers at once, we 

 lodged the contents of our guns in the throat of the monster. Thrashing 

 furiously with his tail, and rolling his body in agony, the alligator at last 

 sunk to the mud; and the Ibis, as if in gratitude, walked to our very feet, 

 and there lying down, surrendered itself to us. I kept this bird until the 

 succeeding spring, and by care and good nursing, had the pleasure of seeing 

 its broken wing perfectly mended, when, after its long captivity, I restored 

 it to liberty, in the midst of its loved swamps and woods. 



The young bird of this species, which I kept alive for some time, fed 

 freely, after a few days captivity, on soaked Indian corn meal, but evinced 

 great pleasure when cray-fishes were offered to it. On seizing one, it beat 

 it sideways on the ground, until the claws and legs were broken off, after 

 which it swallowed the body whole. It was fond of laying on its side in 

 the sun for an hour or so at a time, pluming its body and nursing the sore 

 wing. It walked lightly and very gracefully, though not so much so as the 

 Heron. It did not molest its companions, and became very gentle and 

 tame, following those who fed it like a common fowl. 



The Creoles of Louisiana call this species "JBec croche" and also "Petit 

 Flaman," although it is also generally known by the name of "Spanish 

 Curlew." The flesh, which, as well as the skin, is of a dull orange-colour, 

 is extremely fishy, although the birds are often sold in our southernmost 

 markets, and are frequently eaten by the Indians. 



The White Ibis has been shot eastward as far as New Jersey. Of this I 

 have been made aware by my generous friend Edward Harris, Esq. I 

 never saw one farther up the Mississippi than Memphis. 



White Ibis, Tantalus albus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 43. 



Ieis alba, Bonap. Syn., p. 312. 



White Ibis, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 86. 



White Ibis, Ibis alba, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 173; vol. v. p. 593. 



Adult, 24-|, 40. 



Constant resident in South Florida, where it is abundant. Breeds along 

 the coast to Texas, westward, and occasionally as far as New Jersey east- 



