94 IBISES. 



feed only on little animals which they obtain, either by rooting 

 in the mud, or fishing in the water. One species is spread 

 throughout the eastern continent, and another is proper to 

 South America. 



FAMILY OF LONGIROSTRES. 



45. The Longirostres have a long, slender and feeble beak, 

 which is only suitable for rooting in the mud, in search of worms 

 and small insects, {Plate Ojjig. 10.) These Grallatoriae form two 

 tribes, Snipes in which the beak is straight, or curved downwards ; 

 and the Avosets in which the beak is curved upwards. 



46. The first of these groups is composed of the Ibis and 

 Curlews, in which the beak is arcuate, and Snipes properly sq 

 called, Sandpipers, the RufFs, and a great number of other 

 bh'ds in which the beak is straight. 



47. The Ibises, (P/a/e 5, /z^. 10.) have the beak arcuate, a 

 part of the head, and even a part of the neck, destitute of feathers, 

 the external toes perceptibly palmate, and the thumb sufficiently 

 long to rest on the ground. 



4S. ["Species of the Ibis inhabit all quarters of the world. 

 They frequent the borders of rivers and lakes, where they are 

 accustomed to feed on insects, Crustacea, worms and shell fish, 

 to which they also, at times, add vegetables. But we may place 

 among popular fables, the reputation they have long enjoyed, of 

 being the great destroyers of serpents and venomous reptiles, 

 which in fact, they never touch. They migrate periodically to 

 such distances, that the boundaries of the earth alone seem to 

 set limits to their wanderings."] — Nuttall. 



49. A species of this genus, the Sacred Ibis, — Jbis religiosa, — 

 is celebrated on account of the religious worship it received 

 among the Ancient Egygtians ; it was reared in the temples of 

 that country, and embalmed after its death. According to some, 

 these honours were rendered to the Ibis because it devoured 

 serpents which might have become dangerous to the country, 

 and according to others, because its appearance announced the 

 rise of the Nile. It is often seen sculptured on the monuments of 

 that remarkable people. It is a bird of about the size of a hen ; 

 the plumage is white, except the ends of the primaries of the 



45. How are the Longirostres characterised ? How is tliis finally divided ? 



46. What birds compose the tribe of Snipes? 



47. What are the characters of the Ibises ? 



48. Where are Ibises found? Upon what do they feed ? 



49. What is the Sacred Ibis? Why is it called sacred? What are its 

 characters ? 



J 



