70 THE WOOD IBIS. 



strong, the third longest, second almost as long, fourth about the same length 

 as third, first considerably shorter, all curved, emarginate, of twelve broad, 

 rounded feathers. 



Bill dusky yellowish-brown, the edges yellow. Sides of the head dark 

 bluish-purple, upper part of the head horn-colour or dull greyish-yellow, the 

 rest of the bare skin of the same tint, many of the scales anteriorly blue. 

 Iris deep brown, at a distance seeming black. Tibia and tarsus indigo-blue. 

 Toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, however, many of the scutella 

 bluish-grey; the webs pale yellowish flesh-colour; claws black. 



The general colour of the plumage is pure white with a tinge of yellow. 

 Alula, primary coverts, primary and secondary quills, excepting the inner, 

 and tail, black, with green and purplish-blue reflections, according to the 

 light in which they are viewed. 



Length to end of tail 44^ inches, to end of claws 59^-, to end of wings 46^; 

 wing from flexure 18; tail 6; extent of wings 62; bill along the back 9-J, 

 along the edge 9, its greatest depth 2\; bare part of tibia 6; tarsus 9; middle 

 toe 4 T 2 2, its claw f . Weight 1 If lbs. 



The Female is precisely similar to the male, differing merely in being 

 smaller. Its weight is §\ lbs. 



The Young are dusky-grey all over, the quills and tail brownish-black. 

 The head all covered with down, excepting just at the base of the bill. After 

 the first moult, the bare space extends over the head and cheeks; the downy 

 feathers of the hind head and neck are dusky; the general colour of the 

 plumage is white, the quills and tail nearly as in the adult, but with less 

 gloss. A male of this description shot in January was in length 35 inches, 

 its bill 1\, tarsus 7, middle toe 4, its claw ^; its weight 7f lbs. 



When the Wood Ibis has caught a fish too large to be easily swallowed, it 

 shakes its head in a violent manner, as if to force its prey down or drive it 

 up again. In the latter case, it carries the fish to the shore, and breaks it 

 into pieces, which it then swallows. 



This species has the subcutaneous cellular tissue highly developed, espe- 

 cially along the breast, and the lower parts of the body, although not by any 

 means so much so as in the Brown Pelican. I have represented a flock of 

 these birds in the back ground, with the view of giving you an idea of the 

 swamps to which they usually resort. They are on the edge of an alligator's 

 hole, at their avocations. The trees clad with dangling mosses, afford evi- 

 dence of the insalubrity of the atmosphere. You see the alligators with 

 their heads and backs above water, watching the motions of the birds. 



