THE WOOD IBIS. 67 



sea, the Florida Keys for example, or in the most secluded parts of the 

 darkest woods, provided they are swampy, or are furnished with ponds. I 

 have found the Wood, the Red, the White, the Brown, and the Glossy Ibises 

 around ponds in the centre of immense forests; and in such places, even in 

 the desolate pine-barrens of the Floridas; sometimes several hundred miles 

 from the sea coast, on the Red river, in the State of Louisiana, and above 

 Natchez, in that of Mississippi, as well as within a few miles of the ocean. 

 Yet, beyond certain limits, I never saw one of these birds. 



One of the most curious circumstances connected with this species is, that 

 although the birds are, when feeding, almost constantly within the reach of 

 large alligators, of which they devour the young, these reptiles never attack 

 them; whereas, if a Duck or a Heron comes within the reach of their tails, 

 it is immediately killed and swallowed. The Wood Ibis will wade up to its 

 belly in the water, round the edges of "alligators' holes," without ever being 

 injured; but should one of these birds be shot, an alligator immediately 

 makes towards it and pulls it under water. The gar-fish is not so courteous, 

 but gives chase to the Ibises whenever an opportunity occurs. The snapping- 

 turtle is also a great enemy to the young birds of this species. 



The flight of the Wood Ibis is heavy at its rising from the ground. Its 

 neck at that moment is deeply curved downward, its wings flap heavily but 

 with great power, and its long legs are not stretched out behind until it has 

 proceeded many yards. But as soon as it has attained a height of eight or 

 ten feet, it ascends with great celerity, generally in a spiral direction, in 

 silence if not alarmed, or, if frightened, with a rough croaking guttural note. 

 When fairly on wing, they proceed in a direct flight, with alternate flappings 

 and sailings of thirty or forty yards, the sailings more prolonged than the 

 flappings. They alight on trees with more ease than Herons generally do, 

 and either stand erect or crouch on the branches, in the manner of the Wild 

 Turkey, the Herons seldom using the latter attitude. When they are at 

 rest, they place their bill against the breast, while the neck shrinks as it were 

 between the shoulders. In this position you may see fifty on the same tree, 

 or on the ground, reposing in perfect quiet for hours at a time, although 

 some individual of the party will be constantly on the look-out, and ready to 

 sound the alarm. 



In the spring months, when these birds collect in large flocks, before they 

 return to their breeding places, I have seen thousands together, passing over 

 the woods in a line more than a mile in extent, and moving with surprising 

 speed at the height of only a few yards above the trees. When a breeding 

 place has once been chosen, it is resorted to for years in succession; nor is it 

 easy to make them abandon it after they have deposited their eggs, although, 

 if much annoyed, they never return to it after that season. 



