392 



STEENUM OF THE IBIS, 



the sternum, and the flexibility of its posterior angles 

 in consequence of the notches, give free scope for the 

 motion of the legs, which are in all the species long 

 and well adapted for walking. 



The following half-sized figures of the sternal 

 apparatus of the glossy ibis {falcbiellus), which some- 



Glossy Ibis. 



times, though rarely, makes a dash into this country 

 on its migrations, will serve as an example of those 

 very singular birds. 



STERNA OF THE TOTIPALMJE. 



These birds, which may perhaps w ithout very much 

 impropriety be considered as, in habit, taking up the 

 system after the herons, have considerable diver- 

 sity in their haunts and modes of life. Some, as the 

 albatross, are almost habitually on the wing over 

 the sea, while others, as the cormorants, are less 

 discursive, resort sometimes to the fresh waters, and 

 occasionally perch upon trees ; but they all agree in 



